THE 

POETRY  AND  MYSTERY 

OP 

**  *      DREAMS." 


BY 

CHARLES    G.    LELAND. 


Dreames  be  significations 

As  well  of  joy  as  of  tribulations, 

That  folks  endure  in  this  life  present : 

There  nedeth  to  make  of  this  none  argument. 

CHAUCKB. 


^     *»,.  '-''•» '-••>.""'•,? 

>  )  ?  ^ 

1 

*  -  *  "3i^ 

PHILADELPHIA: 
PUBLISHED  BY  E.   H.   BUTLER  &  CO. 

M.DCCO.LVL 


. 
\ 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1855,  by 
E.  H.  BUTLER  &  CO., 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Eastern  District  of 
Pennsylvania. 


* 


THE 


jottrjr  info  gjgsterj  of  3B«ams, 


RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED 


MISS    BELLE    FISHER, 


CHARLES  G.   LELAND. 


M119808 


Preface. 


object  of  this  work  is  not  to  form  a  prophetic 
A  guide  to  the  future,  but  to  present  to  those  who  are 
interested  in  the  curiosities  of  Literature  the  belief  of  the 
great  dreamers  of  antiquity  as  to  the  imagined  significa- 
tion of  a  few  of  the  vagaries  of  the  mind  during  slumber, 
and  to  illustrate  poetically  the  caprices  of  what  is  with 
many  a  highly  poetic  faculty.  Dreams  are  no  longer  for 
intelligent  minds,  sources  of  hope  or  fear,  but  they  still 
wanton  through  the  halls  of  the  spirit  as  of  old,  though 
the  horn  and  ivory  gates  which  were  once  supposed  to 
determine  their  truth  or  falsehood,  have  long  since  been 
broken  away.  And  they  are  still  recorded  as  mysteri- 
ous or  pleasing  fantasies,  still  narrated  at  the  breakfast 
table,  and  still  quoted  by  lovers  as  affording  involuntary 
illustrations  of  a  passion  which  dares  not  declare  itself  in 
more  direct  terms.  And  there  are  many,  especially 
among  the  young,  who  though  devoid  of  superstition  are 
still  curious  to  know  what  this  or  that  dream  is  said 
to  signify,  yet  who  very  properly  shrink  from  consulting 
those  popular  "dream-books"  which  are  not  only  replete 

1*  (5) 


PREFACE. 


with  coarse  vulgarity,  but  also  fail  to  give  those  explana- 
tions which  were  accepted  as  authentic  in  days  when  even 
the  wisest  placed  full  faith  in  the  interpretations  of 
Oneirology. 

I  was  first  induced  to  compile  this  work,  by  observing 
that  many  of  the  similes  of  the  older  English  and  German 
poets  were  evidently  inspired  by  the  beautiful  superstitions 
of  their  day,  and  indeed  that  all  the  art  of  the  Middle 
Ages,  whether  literary  or  plastic,  rests  to  a  degree  upon  a 
supernatural  foundation.  The  mysticism  or  spiritualism  of 
HERRICK  is  by  no  means  confined  to  his  "Fairy  Land"  or 
"  Charms  and  Ceremonies ;"  CHAUCER  has  carried  his 
respect  for  Dreamland  to  the  verge  of  faith,  while  in 
SHAKSPEARE  we  find  the  inspiration  of  popular  belief 
constantly  developed  in  the  most  exquisite  fancies.  In 
illustrating  the  ancient  interpretations  of  dreams  by  frag- 
ments of  modern  poetry,  I  have  therefore  simply  attempted 
to  bring  back  the  latter  to  the  point  whence  it  in  many 
instances  originated,  and  to  compare  the  perfect  flower 
with  the  first  rude  cutting  from  which  it  sprung. 

In  "  Mackay's  Memoirs  of  Popular  and  Extraordinary 
Delusions" — a  work  distinguished  in  most  respects  for 
ingenuity,  interest,  and  erudition — we  find  the  following 
remarkable  assertion.  "  The  rules  of  the  Art  of  Oneiro- 
Criticism  (or  the  interpreting  dreams),  if  any  existed  in  an- 
cient times,  are  no  longer  known."  Without  pretending  to 
the  slightest  vindication  of  the  merit  of  the  works  in  question 
I  must  be  allowed  to  express  my  astonishment  that  a 
gentleman  of  Mr.  Mackay's  reading  should  have  been 


t 

PREFACE.  vii 

ignorant  that  in  Artemidorus  we  have  a  complete  resumS 
of  the  rules  of  Oneirology  as  believed  by  the  Greeks  and 
Romans,  and  that  in  the  poetic  dream-books  of  Astramp- 
sychius,  and  Nicephorus  the  Patriarch  of  Constantinople, 
there  is  a  sufficient  approach,  as  regards  age,  to  the  days 
of  antiquity  to  give  a  strong  colour  to  the  supposition  that 
in  those  days  of  tradition  their  contents  were  derived  from 
much  older  sources.  In  the  Oneiro-Criticism  of  Achmet 
the  Arabian  we  have  a  vast  collection  of  explanations  of 
dreams,  professedly  drawn  from  Egyptian,  Indian,  and 
Persian  tradition,  and  which  bear  intrinsic  evidence  of  their 
Oriental  origin.  It  is  to  these  works  that  I  have  been 
principally  indebted  for  the  interpretations  contained  in 
this  volume,  with  the  exception,  indeed,  of  a  few  German 
Dream-Books  of  the  Middle  Ages.  Extracts  from  the 
latter  could  not  with  propriety  have  been  omitted,  when 
we  remember  the  vast  preponderance  of  the  Teutonic 
element  in  our  superstitions  and  poetry. 


Br      4. 


Introduction. 

TN  the  olden  time  prophecy  and  poetry  were  believed  to 
be  inspired  by  the  same  spirit,  and  the  same  word — 
VATES — was  indifferently  applied  to  either  of  their  ministers. 
Now,  however,  when  antique  oracles  are  dumb,  and  even 
dreams  and  visions  are  no  longer  regarded  as  prophetic  of 
coming  weal  or  woe,  it  is  only  as  a  humble  dependant  on 
the  magic  of  poesy  and  art,  that  the  whilome  soothsayer  is 
allowed  to  dazzle  with  his  enchantments.  Still  there  are 
moments  when  his  misty  spectre  seems  endowed  with 
reality,  and  there  are  few  minds  who  will  not  entertain  him 
at  times  in  the  bower  of  imagination,  although  ashamed  to 
admit  him  to  the  higher  hall  of  reason. 

And  there  are  very  few  who  are  not  occasionally  inter- 
ested in  the  mysterious,  uncontrollable  operations  of  the 
mind  during  slumber.  "  Dreams, "  says  a  writer,  "  are  the 
novels  which  we  read  when  asleep" — and  it  is  in  these  wild 
romances,  that  the  sternest  and  gravest  foes  of  the  Imagi- 
native and  Fantastic  in  art  and  literature,  read  their 
reproof  written  legibly  by  Nature  herself.  And  when  we 
reflect  on  the  inexplicable  manner  in  which  the  subtlest  and 

(9) 


% 

X  INTRODUCTION. 


most  occult  workings  of  the  mind  are  at  times  entangled 
with  our  dreams,  becoming,  so  to  speak,  half  revealed ;  and 
appearing  to  the  observer  who  never  investigates  the  won- 
drous world  within,  like  a  veritable  gleam  from  a  spirit 
world  above,  it  does  not  appear  strange  that  there  have 
existed  in  all  ages  myriads  who  believed  with  religious  faith 
that  supernatural  intimations  were  permitted  to  even  the 
humblest,  during  sleep. 

It  is  true  that  modern  science  and  investigation  have 
well  nigh  explained  all  the  mysteries  of  dreams,  or  at  least 
have  opened  a  path  to  their  explanation.  The  singular 
faculty  of  latent  memory  so  well  illustrated  by  Coleridge 
and  De  Quincey,  and  the  established  fact  that  this  power  is 
frequently  awakened  in  dreams,  would  serve  of  itself  to  ex- 
plain many  a  mysterious  revelation,  which  the  Rosicrucian 
philosopher  would  have  ascribed  to  his  mystical  Adech  or 
invisible  "inner  sprite,"  but  which  the  modern  is  contented 
to  attribute  to  fortuitous  association.  If  to  the  latent  me- 
mory, we  add  the  quite  as  mysterious  but  more  usual 
quality  of  forgetfulness,  we  have  an  explanation  of  the 
manner  in  which  knowledge  was  not  only  acquired,  but  also 
concealed. 

And  as  the  power  displayed  by  even  weak  men  during 
convulsions,  or  while  under  the  influence  of  some  dominant 
passion,  proves  the  existence  of  latent  and  seemingly  im- 
measurable physical  strength,  so  the  mind,  in  dreams,  dis- 
plays not  only  the  memory  alluded  to,  but  also  hidden 
powers  which  either  slumber  entirely  during  our  waking 
hours,  or  are  so  subtle  in  their  operation  as  to  defy  detec- 


„  ••£ 
INTRODUCTION.  xi 


tion.  Should  the  former  be  the  case,  we  can  only  pre- 
sume them  to  be  the  very  partial  development  of  embryo 
faculties,  which  are  only  to  be  expanded  in  a  future  life. 
If  the  latter,  we  must  assume  that  the  apparent  sponta- 
neity of  much  reasoning,  in  its  relation  to  the  memory,  has 
been  as  yet,  despite  the  efforts  of  Cousin,  but  very  slightly 
investigated.  When  we  recall  the  vast  magazine  of  know- 
ledge which  memory  presents  to  these  powers,  we  can  no 
longer  wonder  that  they  should  occasionally  form  combi- 
nations and  conclusions  which  appear  to  the  unreflecting, 
perfectly  miraculous. 

It  is,  therefore,  not  impossible  that  some  philosopher, 
aided  by  the  researches  of  modern  chemists  in  the  appli- 
cation of  their  science  to  the  nervous  system,  and  by  the 
theories  of  such  writers  as  SALVERTE,  who  seek  to  establish 
the  claims  of  ancient  magic  on  physical  experience,  will 
yet  succeed  in  restoring  to  Dreamland  its  rank  as  a  first- 
class  power  among  the  kingdoms  of  the  mind.  Whether 
this  be  effected  or  not,  we  trust  that  enough  has  been  said 
to  justify  on  the  one  hand,  any  doubt  as  to  the  super- 
natural claims  of  Oneirology,  and  yet  on  the  other  to  ad- 
mit, in  the  words  of  Chaucer, 

That  no  man  should  be  too  reckeless 
Of  dreames,  for  I  say  thee  doubtlesse 
That  many  a  dreme  full  sore  is  for  to  drede. 


4  .*• 


The  Dream  Angel. 


rpHOSE  instances,  I  believe,  are  neither  few  nor  far  be- 
tween,  in  which  dreams  have  given  to  the  afflicted, 
positive  comfort  and  encouragement  during  their  waking 
hours.  The  features  of  the  loved  who  have  long  been 
parted  from  us  either  by  accident  or  death,  are  thus  renewed 
or  revivified  far  more  sympathetically  than  can  be  done  by 
the  most  accurate  portrait,  while  to  the  lover  despairing  of 
his  lady's  favour,  a  pleasant  dream  often  holds  forth  hopes 
not  less  stimulating  than  her  smiles.  All,  it  is  true,  are 
not  gifted  with  such  vivid  imaginations  as  to  frequently 
experience  these  sweet  delusions,  but  they  have  in  every 
age  existed  to  such  a  degree  that  the  world  has  never 
wanted  races  who  held  with  religious  faith  that 

" — Departed  spirits  at  their  will 
Could  from  the  Land  of  Souls  pass  to  and  fro, 
Coming  to  us  in  sleep  when  all  is  still." 

To  those  who  can  feel  a  poetic  sympathy  with  this  be- 
lief, the  following  sketch,  which  owes  its  existence  to  a  hint 
from  Jean  Paul's  "  Voice  of  the  Heart,"  may  not  prove  un- 
2  (13) 


THE  DR^AM  ANGEL. 


acceptable  as  an  attempt  to  embody  in  a  legendary  form 
this  mysterious  Spirit  of  Dreams. 

Once  the  bright  Angel  whose  duty  it  is  to  watch  over 
the  happiness  of  Man,  even  the  Guardian  Angel  of  the 
World,  drew  near  the  throne  of  the  Heavenly  Father,  and 
prayed :  "  Give  me,  oh  Father  !  a  way  by  which  I  may  teach 
Man  how  to  avoid  a  part  at  least  of  the  many  sins  and 
temptations  which  the  Fall  hath  entailed  upon  him !  For 
Man  is  not  always  bad ;  at  times  he  feels  my  better  influ- 
ence ;  at  times  his  heart  is  ready  to  receive  the  good  which 
a  light  external  aid  might  fix  upon  him !" 

Then  the  Father  spoke  to  the  Angel  and  said,  "Give 
him  the  Dream  V9 

The  sweet  Guardian  flew  over  the  world  with  his  sister 
the  Dream.  Far  and  wide  they  spread  their  gentle  influ- 
ence, and  the  hearts  of  life-weary  mortals  were  rejoiced. 
But  the  soft  breathings  of  the  Dream  Angel  fell  not  alike 
on  all.  To  the  good  and  gentle  who  had  sunk  to  rest  amid 
the  blessings  of  their  loved  ones,  and  whose  slumber  was 
deepened  by  the  toil  of  the  good  deeds  which  they  had 
done,  there  came  soft  and  silent  glimpses  of  the  far  land 
of  light.  Forgetting  the  narrow  prison  of  the  world,  their 
souls  rose  up  and  spread  broad  and  wide  over  the  land  of 
vision,  gazing  with  eagle  eyes  upon  its  golden  glories.  But 
as  the  night  waned  their  dream  grew  dim,  and  the  outer 
influences  of  life  gently  closed  about  them  and  drew  them 
back  to  the  world  and  to  the  body,  even  as  the  corolla  of 
the  night-flower  closes  about  it,  and  shuts  from  its  gaze  its 
best  loved  starry  heaven. 


THE  DREAM  ANGEL.  15 

To  the  toil-worn,  sun-burnt  husbandman  who  had  fallen 
asleep  in  despair,  and  who  ever  feared  lest  some  grim  ac- 
cident might  destroy  the  fruit  of  his  labour,  the  sweet  Dream 
came  like  a  soft  summer  shower  upon  the  parched  and 
dusty  fields ;  and  as  he  dreamed,  he  saw  the  green  corn 
rising  in  goodly  ranks,  and  gazed  with  joy  upon  the  soft 
small  ears,  which,  at  first  no  larger  than  flower-buds,  seemed, 
as  he  beheld  them,  to  expand  to  full  maturity. 

There  are  certain  dream  fantasies  and  strange  sleep- 
changes  which  are  to  be  found  only  in  the  deep  unbroken 
slumber  resulting  from  bodily  fatigue,  or  in  the  light  irre- 
gular rest  of  fever;  even  as  the  grotesque  blue  dragon 
fly,  and  the  strange  water-flitter  are  found  only  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  deep  silent  pool,  or  over  the  shallow,  dancing 
brook ;  and  as  the  husbftndman  slept  on,  the  fantastic 
sprites  who  attend  the  Dream,  flitted  about  him  and  spread 
a  gay  confusion  over  the  happy  vision.  For  as  he  gazed 
upon  the  golden  ears,  a  purple  and  scarlet  cloud  seemed  to 
overshadow  him,  while  round  about  he  heard  the  pealing 
of  bells,  the  merry  singing  of  familiar  voices,  and  the  low- 
ing of  cattle ;  and  in  the  intervals  there  came  shouts  as  of 
glad  friends  at  the  harvest  home.  Then  the  purple  cloud 
gathered  about  him,  but  the*  dream  spirits  with  their  long 
shadowy  arms  drew  him  through  it,  and  he  now  stood  be- 
fore a  well-filled  granary;  and  as  tears  of  joy  ran  down 
his  cheeks,  his  wife  and  loved  ones  gathered  about  him, 
and  their  blessings  and  praises  sunk  into  his  heart,  and 
mingled  with  the  even-hymn  which  rose  like  a  golden  cloud 
from  the  ocean  of  his  soul.  And  he  awoke  from  the  sweet 


16  THE  DREAM  ANGEL. 


dream,  and  blessed  it  for  the  hope  with  which  it  had  in- 
spired him. 

But  the  Dream  flew  on,  and  it  came  to  a  guilty  prisoner 
who  had  fallen  asleep,  cursing  his  judges,  his  doom,  and 
the  damp  black  fetters  which  clung  like  cold  adders  to  his 
limbs.  And  as  he  dreamed,  the  prison  was  opened,  the 
cold  chains  fell  away,  and  remorse  and  rage  no  longer  fixed 
their  poison-fangs  upon  his  heart.  A  bright  light  shone 
upon  him,  and  blessed  thoughts  of  mercy,  repentance,  and 
reconciliation  flitted  through  his  mind  like  golden-winged 
butterflies  through  a  summer  garden ;  and  he  awoke  trust- 
ing in  release,  with  his  heart  filled  with  love  and  kindness. 
Did  the  cold  damp  fetters  fall  from  his  limbs  ?  Were  the 
prison  doors  opened  ?  The  fetters  fell  not  away ;  the  prison 
doors  remained  fast ;  and  worn^iown  by  famine  and  sick- 
ness he  perished  alone  in  the  narrow  dungeon.  But  the 
blessed  hope  which  the  gentle  Dream  had  left  in  his  heart, 
gladdened  his  last  hour,  and  as  he  died  exclaiming  "  Not 
my  will,  but  thine,  oh  Father !"  behold  there  was  joy  in 
Heaven. 

It  hath  been  said,  that  Hope  alone  is  left  to  mortals ; 
but  with  her  abideth  her  sister  the  Dream,  who  maketh  her 
known  to  us.  For  by  the  Dream,  men  are  led  to  Hope. 


To  Dream  Land. 


OH  !  blessed  land  of  Dreams, 

Soft  memories  and  blissful  hours  are  thine ; 
Strange  moonlit  fountains  and  fitful  gleams 

Surround  thy  shrine. 

Dreams  for  the  weary  one, 

Who  through  a  long  and  toilsome  day  must  weep, 
Come  with  sweet  music  breathing  in  their  tone, 

In  balmy  sleep. 

Dreams  for  the  broken-hearted ; 

Glad  angel-tones  arise  from  the  dim  past, 
Telling  of  hours  that  have  long  since  departed, 

Too  bright  to  last. 

Dreams  for  the  stained  of  crime ; 

Thoughts  of  their  innocent  and  early  years, 
Come  rushing  o'er  them  from  the  past  of  time, 

With  bitter  tears. 

Dreams,  too,  for  those  who  mourn ; 

Of  that  blest  realm  which  knows  not  care  or  pain, 
From  whence  the  dead  to  vision  land  return, 

We  meet  again. 

Dreams  unto  us  are  given, 

To  soothe  the  weary,  and  the  heart-oppressed ; 
Oh !  realm  of  visions,  poised  'twixt  earth  and  heaven-, 

We  call  thee  blest ! 

W.  B,  HART. 
2*.  (17) 


Abbot. 

*v  ;  • 

"If  you  dream  of  an  abbot,  it  presages  great  age." 

THE  DREAM  PROPHET  OP  NIC.  VON  KLINGELBERO. 

SADLY  through  yon  graveyard  creeps 

The  abbot  old  and  hoar, 
His  long  beard  in  the  night  wind  sweeps, 

His  heart  knows  joy  no  more. 

No  more  he  hears — no  more  he  sees ; 

A  long  staff  guides  his  way ; 
What  seeks  he  there  ? — why  brave  the  breeze  ? 

He  counts  the  graves,  they  say. 

And  ever  as  he  counts,  it  seems 

As  still  were  wanting  one ; 
He  shakes  his  hoary  head,  and  deems 

Next  day  his  race  is  run. 

Not  yet  is  made  that  couch  his  own ; 
Warm  tears  his  wan  cheeks  lave ; 
When  yon  firm  fabric's  overthrown, 

He'll  only  find  his  grave. 

C.  REINHOLD. 

Ashes  are  on  my  head,  and  on  my  lips 
Sackcloth,  and  in  my  breast  a  heaviness 
And  weariness  of  life,  that  makes  me  ready 
To  say  to  the  dead  abbots  under  us, 
Make  room  for  me  ! 

LONGFELLOW. 
(18) 


.  .- 


Absence. 

Absence  from  home  on  distant  journeying  is   a  most 
favourable  omen  in  dreams,  presaging  great  happiness. 

ACHMET  SEIRIM,  c.  147. 

FARE  thee  well,  thou  lane  so  humble  !  —  quiet  home,  fare 

well  to  thee  ! 
Sadly  gazed  I  on  my  parents  ;  and  my  Mary  gazed  on  me. 

Here  so  far,  so  far  I  wander  ;  still  for  home  and  love  I 

long; 
Merry  sing  my  wild  companions  ;  —  but  it  seems  a  hollow 

song, 

Other  cities  oft  receive  me,  —  other  maidens  oft  I  see  ; 
Other  maidens  are  they  truly,  —  not  the  maiden  loved  by 
me. 

"  Other  cities,  other  maidens  !"  —  here  so  lost  and  sad  I 

stand; 
Other  maidens,  other  cities  !  —  give  me  back  my  Father- 

land ! 

COUNT  ALBERT  VON  SCHLIPPENBACH. 

Why  must  our  souls  thus  love  and  thus  be  riven  ? 
Return  —  thy  parting  wakes  mine  agony  ! 

HEMANS. 
(19) 


20  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Must  I  then,  must  I  then  from  my  home-land  away, 

And  my  love  no  longer  see  ? 
In  a  year,  in  a  year,  in  a  year  from  to-day 
I'll  return,  my  own  heart's  love  to  thee. 
Think  not,  if  other  maids  I  meet, 
That  false  I  e'er  can  be ; 

If  thou'rt  true,  if  thou'rt  true,  if  thou'rt  true  to  me,  sweet, 
Thine  own  love,  thine  own  love  I'll  be ! 

In  a  year,  in  a  year  when  the  vintage  hath  come, 

Again  I'll  be  here  by  thy  side. 
If  thou'rt  true  to  me,  true  to  me,  true  to  me  then, 
We'll  be  happy  as  bridegroom  and  bride. 
In  a  year  my  wandering  will  be  o'er 
Then  I'll  dream  of  thee  and  thine. 
If  thou'rt  true  to  me,  true  to  me,  true  to  me  then, 
I'll  be  blest  and  make  thee  mine. 

FROM  THE  GERMAN  BY  CHARLES  G.  LELAND. 


Account  Books. 

To  dream  of  account-books ,  receipts,  notes,  bills,  $c., 
presages  great  wealth.  To  go  over  such  business  docu- 
ments, or  to  add  up  figures,  is  a  sure  sign  that  some  weighty 
affair  has  been  neglected  and  requires  immediate  attention. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

TARE  and  tret ; 
Gross  and  net, 

Box  and  hogsheads,  dry  and  wet : 
Ready  made, 
Of  every  grade, 

Wholesale,  retail,  will  you  trade  ? 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  21 


Goods  for  sale, 
Roll  or  bale, 

Ell  or  quarter,  yard  or  nail ; 
Every  dye, 
Will  you  buy  ? 

None  can  sell  as  cheap  as  I ! 

Thus  each  day 
Wears  away, 

And  his  hair  is  turning  gray ! 
He  nightly  looks 
O'er  his  books, 

Counts  his  gains  and  bolts  his  locks. 

By  and  by 
He  must  die — 

But  the  Ledger-Book  on  high 
Will  unfold- 
How  he  sold, 
How  he  got  and  used  his  gold. 

FROM  THE  ST.  ANTHONY  (MINNESOTA)  CASKET. 


JEolian  Harps. 

Spirits  hover  around  you   in  dreams, — Fortune  and 
happiness. 

REICHHALTIGES  TRAUM  BUCH. 

THIS  life  of  ours  is  a  wild  aeolian  harp  of  many  a  joyous 

strain, 
But  under  them  all  there  runs  a  loud  perpetual  wail,  as  of 

souls  in  pain. 

LONGFELLOW. 


22  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

The  chord,  the  harp's  full  chord  is  hushed. 

The  voice  hath  died  away, 
Whence  music,  like  sweet  waters,  gushed 

But  yesterday. 
And  all  the  memories,  all  the  dreams 

They  woke  in  floating  by, 
The  tender  thoughts,  th'  Elysian  gleams — 

Could  these  too  die  ? 
Whence  were  they  ? — like  the  breath  of  flowers, 

Why  thus  to  come  and  go  ? 
A  long,  long  journey  must  be  ours, 

Ere  this  we  know ! 

HEMANS. 

A  sound  of  music,  such  as  they  might  deem 
The  song  of  spirits — that  would  sometimes  sail 
Close  to  their  ear,  a  deep,  delicious  stream, 
Then  sweep  away  and  die  with  a  low  wail ; 
Then  come  again. 

CBOLY. 

I've  heard  thee  wake  with  touch  refined, 
The  viewless  harp  strings  of  the  wind, 
When  on  my  ears  their  soft  tones  fell, 
Sweet  as  the  voice  of  Israfel. 

HENRY  NEELE. 

Hast  heard  in  dreams  the  wind  harp's  tone  ? 

Then  in  thy  soul  rejoice  ; 
No  one  is  friendless  and  alone, 

Who  hears  its  spirit-voice. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Anchor. 

According  to  VON  GERSTENBERGK,  who  has  culled  his 
"Dream  Lexicon"  from  the  writings  of  APOMAZOR,  ARTE- 
MIDORUS,  CARD  ANUS,  and  JOHN  ENGELBRECHT  ; — to  dream 
of  an  anchor  denotes  security.  Others  declare  it  to  presage 
the  fulfilment  of  long-deferred  hopes,  while  a  third  author- 
ity asserts  that  it  implies  hindrance  and  delay. 

AT  first  all  deadly  shapes  were  driven 

Tumultuously  across  her  sleep, 
And  o'er  the  vast  cope  of  bending  Heaven 

All  ghastly  visaged  clouds  did  sweep ; 
And  as  towards  the  east  she  turned 

She  saw  aloft  in  the  morning  air, 
Which  now  with  hues  of  sunrise  burned, 

A  great  black  anchor  rising  there ; 
And  wherever  the  lady  turned  her  eyes 

It  hung  before  her  in  the  skies. 

The  sky  was  blue  as  the  summer  sea, 

The  depths  were  cloudless  over  head, 
The  air  was  calm  as  it  could  be, 

There  was  no  sight  nor  sound  of  dread, 
But  that  black  anchor  floating  still 
Over  the  piny  eastern  hill. 

MARIANNE'S  DREAM.    SHELLEY. 
(23) 


Angels. 


To  dream  of  angels  presages  joy  and  prosperity  with 
the  fulfilment  of  our  dearest  hope. 

ACHMET  SEIRIM,  c.  10. 

PERCHANCE  she  knows  it  by  her  dreams, 
Her  eye  hath  caught  the  golden  gleams 
(Angelic  presence  testifying), 
That  round  her  everywhere  are  flying ; 
Ostents  from  which  she  may  presume 
That  much  of  Heaven  is  in  the  room. 
Skirting  her  own  bright  hair  they  run, 
And  to  the  sunny  add  more  sun. 

CHARLES  LAMB. 

But  may  ye  not  unseen,  around  us  hover, 
With  gentle  promptings  and  sweet  influence  yet ; 

Though  the  fresh  glory  of  those  days  be  over, 
When  midst  the  palm-trees,  man  your  footsteps  met  ? 

Are  ye  not  near  when  faith  and  hope  rise  high, 
When  love  by  strength  o'ermasters  agony  ? 

HEMANS. 

It  is  a  beautiful,  a  blest  belief 
That  the  beloved  dead,  grown  angels,  watch 
The  dear  ones  left  behind. 

L.  E.  L. 
(24) 


POETRY  OF  DREAJVIS.  25 


Light  as  the  angel  shapes  that  bless 
An  infant's  dream,  yet  not  the  less 
Rich  in  all  woman's  loveliness. 

MOORE. 


Antiquities — Curiofities. 

To  dream  of  antique,  rare,  and  costly  objects,  presages 
some  "happy  event — the  arrival  of  a  dear  friend,  or  a  fortu- 
nate and  unexpected  discovery. 

NICHOLAUS  VON  KLINGELBERG. 

CASES  of  rare  medallions,  coins  antique 

Found  in  the  dust  of  cities,  Roman,  Greek : 

And  urns  of  alabaster,  soft  and  bright, 

With  fauns  and  dancing  shepherds  on  their  sides ; 

And  costly  marble  vases  dug  from  night 

In  Pompeii,  beneath  its  lava-tides : 

Clusters  of  arms,  the  spoil  of  ancient  wars, 

Old  scymitars  of  true  Damascus  brand, 

Short  swords  with  basket-hilts  to  guard  the  hand, 

And  iron  casques  with  rusty  visor-bars : 

Lances  and  spears,  and  battle-axes  keen, 

With  crescent  edges,  shields  with  studded  thorns, 

Yew-bows,  and  shafts,  and  curved  bugle-horns, 

With  tassled  baldrics  of  the  Lincoln  green : 

And  on  the  walls  with  lifted  curtains,  see  ! 

The  portraits  of  my  noble  ancestry ; 

Thin-featured,  stately  dames  with  powdered  locks, 

And  courtly  sheph<jr<je&SQS  tending  flocks, 


26  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


Stiff  lords  in  wigs,  and  ruffles  white  as  snow, 
Haught  peers  and  princes  centuries  ago, 
And  dark  Sir  Hugh,  the  bravest  of  the  line, 
With  all  the  knightly  scars  he  won  in  Palestine. 

STODDARD. 

If  in  his  study  he  hath  such  a  care 

To  Jiang  old  strange  things,  let  his  wife  beware. 

DONNE. 

the  pictures  and  the  blazoned  books, 

The  glittering  armour  and  the  oaken  screen, 
Grotesque  with  wry-faced  purgatorial  shapes. 

BOKEB. 


Animals. 

To  dream  of  many  kinds  of  animals  herding  or  throng- 
ing together,  denotes  some  strange  and  direful  adventure. 

WHILE  he  thus  spake,  there  came  into  my  mind 
This  fearefull  dreame,  whereout  I  waked  was : 
I  saw  a  river  stopt  with  stormes  of  winde, 
Wherethrough  a  Swan,  a  Bull,  a  Bore  did  passe, 
Tranching  the  fish  and  fire  with  teeth  of  brasse, 
Methought  this  streame  did  drowne  the  cruell  Bore, 
In  little  space  it  grew  so  deepe  and  brode : 
But  he  had  killed  the  Bull  and  Swan  before. 
Besides  all  this  I  saw  an  uglie  Tode 
Crale  towards  me,  on  which  methought  I  trode : 
But  what  became  of  her,  or  what  of  me, 
My  sudden  waking  would  not  let  me  see. 

THE  MJRROUR  FOR  MAGISTRATES. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  27 

I  had  a  dream  last  night  of  Noah's  ark, 
Methought  I  saw  the  beasts  go  two  by  two 
Up  a  long  plank  and  into  their  abode. 
First  came  the  nobler  brutes,  and  then  in  turn, 
By  raild  gradation  walked  the  viler  sort, 
And,  after  all,  the  reptiles.     Then  I  saw 
Those  insects  which  more  terrify  the  brave 
Than  lions,  snakes  or  tigers — for  there  flew, 
Or  crept  according  to  his  kind,  the  bug, 
The  cockroach  and  mosquito.     Last  and  worst, 
Meaner  than  all — vilest  among  the  vile. 
Came  two  small  critic-ling  s,  whose  ignorance 
But  half  out-topped  their  venom.     When  I  saw 
This  paltry  vermin  closing  up  the  train, 
I  called  to  Noah  and  in  sorrow  cried, 
"  Oh  great  Ark-Patriarch,  if  it  needs  must  be 
Keep  the  mosquitoes  and  the  chinches  dire, 
The  murd'rous  flea  and  eke  the  cock-a-roach, 
Yea — spare  the  bugs — (forgive  me,  reader  mine  !) 
But  Oh !  block  out  that  vilest  pair,  who  crawl 
Disgracing  all  before  them  ?"     "  So  I  would," 
The  sire  replied — "  and  kill  them  both  to  boot ; 
But  'tis  ordained  the  filthy  things  must  live, 
E'en  for  their  mutual  torture" — here  I  woke. 

-   "  MEISTER  KARL. 


Anvil. 

To  dream  of  hammering  on  an  anvil  presages  success 
and  honour  in  spite  of  opposition  and  enmity. 


APOMAZOB. 


I  DREAMT  I  stood  by  a  roaring  fire. 

Near  the  blacksmith  griiny  and  grim ; 
And  watched  the  blaze  rise  higher  and  higher, 
As  it  lit  up  each  brawny  limb. 
Bang,  bang,  his  hammer  rang, 

And  drove  out  many  a  spark  ; 
They  seemed  the  devil's  own  fire-flies, 
As  they  darted  through  the  dark. 

The  smith  struck  high — the  smith  struck  low, 

As  over  his  work  he  bent ; 
And  if  every  blow  had  been  on  a  foe, 
A  battle  had  soon  been  spent. 
Cling,  cling,  the  steel  doth  ring, 

In  flaming  crimson  dressed  ; 

Of  all  the  callings  that  I  know, 

I  love  the  blacksmith's  best. 

King  Siegfried  of  old  was  a  blacksmith  boldj 

And  well  on  the  iron  could  pound ; 
With  his  very  first  blow,  he  drove,  I'm  told, 
The  anvil  into  the  ground  : 

Round,  round,  into  the  ground, 

And  beat  his  hammer  flat ; 
No  man  alive  but  a  blacksmith  stout, 
Could  strike  you  a  blow  like  that. 

(28) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  29 

And  Siegfried  became  a  monarch  of  might, 

And  so  you  may  clearly  see, 
If  a  man  would  rise  in  power  and  height, 
A  blacksmith  he  first  must  be  : 

Smack,  smack !  with  many  a  crack, 

As  he  hammers  the  spade  and  plough ; 
For  so  did  Tubal  Cain  of  old, 
And  he  must  do  so  now. 

C.  GL  LELAND. 


Apples. 


Large  fair  apples  are  a  good  sign  for  him,  or  for  her,  who 
is  in  love.  Sour  apples  signify  strife  and  discord.  The 
scholar  who  dreams  of  apples  will  make  great  progress  in 
wisdom. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

AT  length  she  said,  that  in  a  slumber  sound, 
She  dreamed  a  dream  of  walking  in  a  wood — 
A  wood  "  obscure"  like  that  where  Dante  found 
Himself  in  at  the  age  when  all  grow  good,     *    *   * 
And  that  this  wood  was  full  of  pleasant  fruits, 
And  trees  of  goodly  growth  and  spreading  roots. 

And  in  the  midst  A  GOLDEN  APPLE  grew, — 
A  most  prodigious  pippin, — but  it  hung 
Rather  too  high  and  distant,  that  she  threw 
Her  glances  on  it,  and  then  longing,  flung 
Stones  and  whatever  she  could  pick  up,  to 
Bring  down  the  fruit,  which  still  perversely  clung 
3* 


30  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

To  its  own  bough,  and  dangled  yet  in  sight, 
But  always  at  a  most  provoking  height. 

BYRON. 

But  all  are  empty,  unsubstantial  shades 
That  ramble  through  those  visionary  glades ; 
No  spongy  fruits  from  verdant  trees  depend, 
But  sickly  orchards  there 
Do  fruits  as  sickly  bear, 
And  APPLES  a  consumptive  visage  shew, 
And  withered  hangs  the  whortleberry  blue. 

PHILIP  FRENEATT. 


Apricots. 


To  dream  of  apricots  presages  a  gentle  sunny  life,  free 
from  the  world's  harsher  influences,  and  blessed  with  hap- 
piness, wealth  and  friendship. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

OH  what  a  life  is  mine  ! 

A  life  of  light  and  mirth, 

The  sensuous  life  of  earth, 

For  ever  fresh  and  fine, 
A  heavenly  worldliness,  mortality  divine ! 
When  eastern  skies,  the  sea,  and  misty  plain 
Illumined  slowly,  doff  their  nightly  shrouds, 
And  Heaven's  bright  archer,  Morn,  begins  to  rain 
His  golden  arrows  through  the  banded  clouds, 
I  rise  and  tramp  away  the  jocund  hours, 
Knee  deep  in  grass  and  dewy  beds  of  flowers.  *  *  * 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  31 


Sometimes  I  lounge  in  arbours  hung  with  vines, 
And  press  the  bunchy  grapes  in  various  wines, 
The  which  I  sip  and  sip,  with  pleasure  mute, 
O'er  mouthful  bites  of  golden-rinded  fruit, 
Parting  their  separate  flavours,  bliss  by  bliss, 
Like  one  who  swoons  in  some  immortal  kiss. 

STODDARD. 

I  dreamed  of  plucking  blushing  apricots, 
The  pleasant  darlings  of  the  summer  sun ; 
I  felt  their  sides  give  way  within  my  palm, 
Like  a  soft  maiden's  cheek. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Arch. 

To  dream  of  passing  under  an  arch  betokens  that  you 
will  travel  much  in  distant  countries,  meet  with  many 
strange  adventures,  and  have  a  variety  of  curious  expe- 
riences. 

FOR  all  experience  is  an  arch  wherethro' 

•Gleams  that  untravelled  world  whose  margin  fades, 

For  ever  and  for  ever  when  I  move. 

TENNYSON. 

I  slept  and  dreamed — before  me  stood  an  arch — 
A  pointed  ogive — framed  in  carvings  quaint, 
Whose  sabred  sides  rose  from  an  antique  base, 
Enriching  in  their  course  full  many  a  saint 


32  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Or  demon  grim,  whom  age  had  worn  alike ; 
While  here  and  there  a  trailing  ivy  hung, 
As  if  old  Time,  like  artist  void  of  skill 
O'er  over-finished  work  had  drapery  flung. 

And  all  unheeding  through  the  arch  I  passed, 
When  lo  !  another  life  seemed  gathering  round, 
New  years  were  added  to  the  past,  and  forms 
As  yet  unknown  stole  o'er  my  spirit's  bound, 
Yet  laughed  to  me  like  friends,  and  when  I  turned 
In  bashful  wonder  from  their  merry  eyes, 
I  felt  that  they  were  friends  of  days  to  come 
In  other  countries,  and  'neath  other  skies. 

C.  G.  LELAND. 


Arrow. 

To  dream  of  finding,  or  of  shooting  an  arrow,  is  an 
omen  of  death. 

ACHMET  SEIBIM. 

His  bow  for  action  ready  bent, 
And  arrows  with  a  head  of  stone, 

Can  only  mean  that  life  is  spent, 
And  not  the  old  ideas  gone. 

PHILIP  FRENEAU. 

Give  me  my  bent  bow  in  my  hand, 

And  a  broad  arrow  I'll  let  flee ; 
And  where  that  shaft  is  taken  up, 

There  shall  my  grave  digged  be. 

BALLAD  OF  RUBIN  HOOD. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  33 

Full  many  a  shaft  at  random  sent, 
Finds  mark  the  archer  never  meant ; 
And  many  a  word  at  random  spoken 
Can  soothe  or  heal  a  heart  that's  broken. 

SCOTT. 

My  life  is  in  my  hand,  and  lo  ! 

I  grasp  and  bend  it  as  a  bow, 

And  shoot  forth  from  its  trembling  string 

An  arrow  that  shall  be,  perchance, 

Like  the  arrow  of  the  Israelite  king, 

That  of  the  Lord's  Deliverance ! 

LONGFELLOW. 


Battle. 

To  dream  of  laities,  of  armies  marching  in  ranks,  of 
weapons,  fortifications,  and  of  anything  pertaining  to  tvarsy 
is  an  evil  sign  to  those  loving,  and  to  all  save  soldiers. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 


0,  MY  good  lord,  why  are  you  thus  alone  ? 

For  what  offence  have  I  this  fortnight  been 

A  banished  woman  from  my  Harry's  bed  ?    *     *     * 

In  thy  faint  slumbers,  I  by  thee  have  watched, 

And  heard  thee  murmur  tales  of  iron  wars  : 

Speak  terms  of  manage  to  thy  bounding  steed ; 

Cry  Courage; — to  the  field!  and  thou  hast  talked 

Of  sallies,  and  retires  ;  of  trenches,  tents, 

Of  palisadoes,  frontiers,  parapets ; 

Of  basilisks,  of  cannon,  culverin ; 


34  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


Of  prisoners'  ransom,  and  of  soldiers  slain, 
And  all  the  currents  of  a  heady  fight. 

KING  HENRY  IV. 

Ever  in  my  nightly  slumber 

Comes  a-  wild  and  fearful  dream, 
Of  a  dark  plain-corse,  encumbered, 

By  a  roaring  bloodstained  stream  ; 
Ever  hear  I  night- wind  moaning 

Mid  the  cannon-broken  trees, 
Ever  hear  a  dreary  groaning 

Wafted  on  the  sulph'ry  breeze ; 
And  amid  the  dead  and  dying, 

One  pale  face  alarms  me  yet ; 
Mid  the  maddened  horses  lying, 

One  that  I  can  ne'er  forget. 

H.  P.  LHLAND. 


Beating. 

Blows  betoken  domestic  troubles. 


APOMAZOR. 


WHEN  shaws  beene  sheene  and  shradds  full  fayre, 

And  leaves  both  large  and  longe, 
It  is  merry  walking  in  the  fayre  forrSst 

To  heare  the  small  birds'  song. 

^          The  woodwele  sang,  and  wold  not  cease, 

Sitting  upon  the  spraye, 
Soe  loude,  he  wakened  Robin  Hood, 
In  the  greenwood  where  he  lay. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  35 

Now  by  my  faye,  said  jollye  Robin, 

A  dream  I  had  this  night ; 
I  dreamt  me  of  two  wighty  yeomen, 

That  fast  with  me  can  fight. 

Methought  they  did  mee  beate  and  binde, 

And  tooke  my  bow  mee  fro ; 
Iff  I  be  Robin  alive  in  this  lande, 

He  be  wroken  (revenged)  on  them  two. 

Dreames  are  swift,  master,  quoth  John, 

As  the  wind  blowes  ore  the  hill ; 
For  if  itt  be  never  so  loud  this  night, 

To-morrow  it  may  be  still. 

PERCY'S  RELIQUES. 


Beauty. 

To  dream  of  beauty  (de  Venere)  is  a  most  favourable 
omen  to  those  who  labour  industriously,  for  it  is  the  nature 
and  spring  of  all  life  and  activity.  And  this  is  a  good 
sign  not  only  to  travellers  but  to  those  who  propose  remain- 
ing stilly  for  it  stirreth  up  even  the  indolent  and  unwilling 
to  activity.  So  Venus  Anadyomene,  rising  from  the 
ocean ,  is  ominous  to  sailors,  of  storm  and  wreck,  yet  never- 
theless preserves  their  lives  and  brings  to  a  fortunate  con- 
clusion, labours  and  negotiations  which  have  seemed  hope- 
less and  desperate. 

ARTEMIDORUS,  Lib.  2,  CAP.  42. 

I  SLEPT  arid  dreamed  that  life  was  beauty, 
I  woke  and  found  that  life  was  duty  ; 
Was  then  my  dream  a  shadowy  lie  ? 


36  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Toil  on,  sad  heart,  courageously, 
And  thou  slialt  find  thy  dream  to  be 
A  noon-day  light  and  truth  to  thee. 

ANONYMOUS. 

On  a  pleasant  summer  day, 

In  a  garden  as  I  lay 
Drowsed  with  the  perfume  of  a  thousand  flowers, 

Mine  eyes  enchanted  with  their  rainbow  gleaming, 
And  lulled  by  ever-dropping  fountain  showers, 

I  fell  asleep — from  sleep  I  fell  ,to  dreaming  ; 
When  lo  !  beside  me  sat  the  Dame  of  Love — 

The  Queen  of  whitest  fairness  clad  in  light, 
But  she  was  stern,  and  ruffled  e'en  her  dove : 

"  What  dost  thou  here  ?"  she  cried — "arise  and  write! 

"  Go  forth  and  labour ! — put  thy  armour  on  ! 

Do  anything ! — but  something  thou  must  do  ; 
They  lie  who  say  I  love  a  faineant, 

And  slander  Love  with  libel  most  untrue. 
The  brave,  thou  know'st,  alone  deserve  the  fair, 

But  who  are  now  the  brave  in  every  land? 
Though  Love-in-idleness  be  sweet  to  wear, 

I  love  it  best  when  plucked  by  labour's  hand. 

C.  G.  LELAND. 

If,  in  the  warm  and  passionate  hour 
When  Reason  sleeps  in  Fancy's  bower, 
If  thou  hast  ever,  ever  felt 
A  dream  of  delicate  beauty  melt 

Into  the  heart's  recess, 
Seen  by  the  soul,  and  seen  by  the  mind, 

But  indistinct  its  loveliness, 
Adored  and  not  defined  : 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  37 

A  bright  creation,  a  shadowy  ray, 
Fading  and  flitting  in  mist  away, 
Nothing  to  gaze  on,  and  nothing  to  hear, 
But  something  to  cheat  the  eye  and  ear 
With  a  fond  conception  and  joy  of  both, 
So  that  you  might,  that  hour,  be  loth 
To  change  for  some  one's  sweetest  kiss 
The  visions  of  unenduring  bliss, 
Or  lose  for  some  one's  sweetest  tone, 
The  murmur  thou  drinkest  all  alone — 
If  such  a  vision  hath  ever  been  thine, 
Thou  hast  a  heart  that  may  look  on  mine  ! 

PRAED. 


Beech  Tree. 

To  dream  of  the  beech  tree  is  an  omen  of  peace  and 
prosperity. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

* 

OH  leave  this  barren  spot  to  me ; 

Spare,  Woodman,  spare  the  beechen  tree ! 

Though  shrub  or  floweret  never  grow 

My  wan  unwanning  shade  below, 

Nor  fruits  of  glossy  autumn  born 

My  green  and  glossy  leaves  adorn, 

Nor  murmuring  tribes  from  me  derive 

The  ambrosial  treasures  of  the  hive, 

Yet  leave  this  little  spot  to  me ; 

Spare,  Woodman,  spare  the  beechen  tree ! 

4 


38  POETRY  OP  DREAMS. 

Thrice  twenty  summers  I  have  stood 
In  bloomless  fruitless  solitude  ; 
Since  childhood  in  my  rustling  bower 
First  spent  its  sweet  and  sportive  hour, 
Since  youthful  lovers  in  my  shade 
'Their  vows  of  truth  and  rapture  paid, 
And  on  my  trunk's  surviving  frame 
Carved  many  a  long-forgotten  name; 
Oh  !  by  the  vows  of  gentle  sound 
First  breathed  upon  this  sacred  ground, 
By  all  that  Love  hath  whispered  here 
Or  Beauty  heard  with  ravished  ear, 
As'  Love's  own  altar  honour  me, — 
Spare,  Woodman,  spare  the  beechen  tree  ! 

CAMPBELL. 


Beer  and  Ale. 


A  sign  of  good  fortune  if  clear,  but  a  sad  omen  if 
turoid." 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

-      s« 

IN  a  jolly  field  of  barley  good  King  Cambrinus  slept, 
And  dreaming  of  his  thirsty  realm  the   merry  monarch 

wept, 
"  In  all  my  land  of  Netherland  there  grows  no  mead  or 

wine, 
And  water  I  could  never  coax  adown  this  throat  of  mine. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  39 

"  Now  list  to  me,  ye  heathen  gods,  and  eke  ye  Christian  too, 
Both  Zerneboch  and  Jupiter,  and  Mary  clad  in  blue ; 
And  mighty  Thor  the  Thunderer,  and  any  else  that  be, 
The  one  who  aids  me  in  my  need,  his  servant  I  will  be." 

And  as  this  sinful  heathen  all  in  the  barley  lay, 

There  came  in  dreams  an  angel  bright  who  soft  these  words 

did  say, 

"Arise,  thou  poor  Cambrinus,  for  even  all  around, 
In  the  barley  where  thou  sleepest  a  nectar  may  be  found. 

"  In  the  barley  where  thou  sleepest  there  hides  a  nectar 

clear, 
Which  men  shall  know  in  later  times  as  PORTER,  ALE,  or 

BEER:" 
Then  in  terms   the  most   explicit  he  "put   the  monarch 

through," 
And  gave  him  ere  the  dream  was  out  the  recipe  to  brew. 

Uprose  good  king  Cambrinus  and  shook  him  in  the  sun. 
"  Away,  ye  wretched  heathen  gods — with  you  I'm  quit  and 

done ! 

Ye've  left  me  with  my  subjects  in  error  and  in  thirst ; 
Till   in   our  dreadful  dryness  we  scarce   know  which   is 

worst." 

It  was  the  good  Cambrinus  unto  his  palace  went, 

And  messengers  through  all   the  land  unto  his  lords  he 

sent, 
"Leave    Odin   under   pain  of  death !" — his  orders  were 

severe, 
Yet  touched  with  mildness — for   he  sent  the   recip£  for 

beer. 


it 

40  POETRY  OP  DREAMS. 

Oh  then  a  merry  sound  was  heard  of  building  through  the 

land, 
*And   the  churches  and  the  breweries  went  up  on   every 

hand; 
For  the  masons  they  were  hard  at  work  where'er  a  spot 

seemed  pat. 
And  some  had  bricks  within  their  hods — and  some  within 

their  hats. 

C.  G.  LELAND. 


Hiuggum  vier  med  hiorve  We  fought  with  swords  ;  this  fills 

JEKt  hlceger  mig  iafnam  me  still  with  joy,  because  I  know  a 

Thad  Balldur  fadur  bekke  banquet  is  preparing  by  the  father 

Buna  veit  eg  at  sumlum  of  the  gods.     Soon  in  the  splendid 

Drekum  BIOR  ad  bragde  hall  of  Odin  we  shall  drink  BEER 

Wr  piukvidium  hausa  out  of  the  skulls  of  our  enemies. 

Syter  ei  drengur  vid  dauda  A  brave  man  shrinks  not  at  death. 

Dyrs  ad  Fiolins  husum  I  shall  utter  no  repining  words   as 

Ei  kern  ek  med  eidru  I  approach  the  palace  of  the  gods. 
Ord  till  Vidris  hollar. 

DEATH  SONG  OF  REGNER  LODBROG. 

BEER-um  si  sit  clearum  est  sincerum, 
ALE-um  si  sit  stale-um  non  est  malum. 

RAY'S  PROVERBS. 


BOHEMIAN  BEER  SONG. 

"  Kde  ge  sladek,  tarn  ge  mladek, 
Tarn  ge  taky  piwowarek  ; 

Kde  se  piwo  war) 

Tarn  se  dobre  darj  : 
Pugd'me  tarn  a  pjme  ho 
Az  do  rana  bjle'ho  !" 

Where  they  brew  you'll  find  a  crew 
Of  jolly  boys,  and  the  brewer  too. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  41 

Where  they  boil  and  make  it, 

Is  the  best  place  to  take  it : 
There  we'll  drink  and  there  we'll  go, 
Till  the  morning  white  doth  grow ! 

Beer  we'll  drink  until  we  wink, 

Go  it  gayly, — never  think ! 
Be  jolly  all  together, 
We're  birds  of  one  same  feather — 

There  we'll  drink  and  there  we'll  go, 

Till  the  morning  white  doth  grow ! 

Drink  good  beer  and  never  fear, 
Love  the  girls  both  far  and  near ! 

That's  the  way  to  do  it, 

Merrily  get  through  it : 
There  we'll  drink  and  there  we'll  go, 
Till  the  morning  white  doth  grow ! 

Glass  in  hand,  for  fatherland, 
King  and  native  tongue  we  stand, 

Sound  it  out,  ye  youth, 

Long  live  Bohemian  truth ! 
There  we'll  drink  and  there  we'll  go, 
Till  the  morning  white  doth  grow!  • 

Translated  from  the  Cech- Slavonian  or  Bohemian  by  CHARLES  G.  LELAND. 


Bees. 

To  dream  of  finding  a  lee  is  a  sign  that  you  will  ere 
long  have  a  new  or  another  servant,  and  to  find  many,  or 
a  whole  hive,  presages  that  as  many  will  obey  you. 

ACHMET. 

WHILE  Chloe  told  her  maid  a  score 

Of  conquests  made  a  night  before  ; 

And  rapid  ran  them  o'er  in  glee, 

Right  in  upon  her  flew  a  bee — 

"Help,  help!"  she  cries  with  eager  breath, 

"  0  help !  dear  Jane !  I'm  stung  to  death ! 

The  honey  monster  crush  or  chase — 

Oh  dear!  my  bosom,  lip  and  face!" 

But  Chloe' s  sobs  were  balmy  south, 

So  the  bee  settled  on  her  mouth ; 

And  Chloe  swoons  as  if  she'd  die, 

While  Jane  prepares  to  brain  the  fly. 

But  the  gay  bee,  discreet,  though  young, 

Guarded  his  person  by  his  tongue : 

A  moral  bee  (as  beauties  know) 

Can  plead  for  life  like  Cicero : — 

"Pardon  mistake,  sweet  Belle — heaven  knows 

I  took  your  two  lips  for  a  rose!" 

Excuse  so  palpable  and  neat 

Exalted  Chloe  from  her  seat : 

"  Ah  Jane !  (she  cries)  put  down  the  fan ! 
I'd  no  more  brain  him  than  a  man; 

(42) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  43 

Go  lift  the  sash — he  stung  so  light, 
It  seemed  a  mere  musquito  bite ; 
Engaging  creature ! — I'll  be  bound 

He  left  some  honey  on  the  wound!" 

ANONYMOUS! 


Beheading. 


To  dream  of  beheading  or  of  seeing  any  one  beheaded,  is 
a  favourable  otmen.  To  lovers  it  indicates  speedy  marriage 
— to  prisoners  a  release.  To  dream  that  you  are  yourself 
beheaded  indicates  great  firmness,  energy,  and  nobility,  for 
death  by  the  axe  belongs  only  to  those  of  gentle  blood. 

VON  KLINGELBERG. 

I  LOOKED  upon  his  brow, — no  sign 

Of  guilt  or  fear  were  there, 
He  stood  as  proud  by  that  death  shrine 

As  even  o'er  despair 
He  had  a  power ;  in  his  eye 
There  was  a  quenchless  energy, 

A  spirit  that  could  dare 
The  deadliest  form  that  death  could  take, 
And  dare  it  for  the  daring's  sake. 

I  saw  him  once  before ;  he  rode 

Upon  a  coal-black  steed, 
And  tens  of  thousands  thronged  the  road, 

And  bade  their  warriors  speed. 
His  helm,  his  breastplate  were  of  gold, 
And  graved  with  many  a  dint  that  told 

Of  many  a  soldier's  deed; 


- 

44  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

The  sun  shone  on  his  sparkling  mail, 
And  danced  his  snow-plume  on  the  gale. 

But  now  he  stood  chained  and  alone, 

The  headsman  by  his  side, 
The  plume,  the  helm,  the  charger,  gone; 

The  sword  which  had  defied 
The  mightiest,  lay  broken  near ; 
And  yet  no  sigh  or  sound  of  fear 

Came  from  that  lip  of  pride  ; 
And  never  king  or  conqueror's  brow 
Wore  higher  look  than  his  did  now. 

He  bent  beneath  the  headsman's  stroke 

With  an  uncovered  eye5 
A  wild  shout  from  the  numbers  broke 

Who  thronged  to  see  him  die. 
It  was  a  people's  loud  acclaim, 
The  voice  of  anger  and  of  shame, 

A  nation's  funeral  cry  ; 
Rome's  wail  above  her  only  son, 
Her  patriot  and  her  latest  one. 

«  CRKSCENTIUS,  by  L.  E.  L. 


Bells  Ringing. 


To  dream  of  the  ringing  of  bells  betokens  grief,  sorrow ', 
and  enmity. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

"  Is  it  not  strange,  that  as  ye  sung, 
Seemed  in  mine  ear,  a  death  peal  rung, 
Such  as  in  nunneries  they  toll 
For  some  departing  sister's  soul  ? 

Say,  what  may  this  portend  ?" — 
•  Then  first  the  Palmer  silence  broke, 
(The  live-long  day  he  had  not  spoke,) 

"The  death  of  a  dear  friend." 

W.  SCOTT. 

Loud  ringing  changes  all  our  bells  have  marred ; 

Jangled  they  have  and  jarred 
So  long,  they're  out  of  tune  and  out  of  frame  ; 

They  seem  not  now  the  same. 
Put  them  in  frame  anew,  and  once  begin 
To  tune  them  so  that  they  may  all  chime  in  ! 

HERBERT. 

There  is  a  mighty  Noyse  of  Bells 

Bushing  from  the  Turret  free  ; 
A  solemn  tale  of  Truth  it  tells, 

O'er  Land  and  Sea, 
How  heartes  be  breaking  fast,  and  then 

Wax  whole  againe. 

MOTHERWELL. 

(45) 


46  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

From  the  tower, 

Heavy,  slow, 
.^      Tolls  the  funeral 

Note  of  woe. 

Sad  and  solemn,  with  its  knell  attending 
Some  new  wanderer  on  the  last  way  wending. 

SCHILLER. 


Bewildered — Amazed. 


To  dream  that  you  are  bewildered  and  puzzled  is  a  sure 
sign  that  you  will  soon  receive  news. 

VON  KLINGELBERG. 

As  doctors  in  their  deepest  doubts, 

Stroke  up  their  foreheads  hie  ; 

Or  wen  amazde  their  sorrow  floats, 

By  squeaming  .with  the  eye : 

Or  as  the  mayde  surcharged  with  woe, 

Shewes  water  in  her  eyes, 

Or  as  the  schoolboye  loth  to  goe 

Doth  truant  scuse  devise ; 

Or  as  a  wanton  in  her  muse 

Doth  stand  and  bite  the  lip, 

Or  as  the  prisoner  cannot  choose 

But  stayes  to  take  the  whip ; 

Even  so  stood  he  all  spent  and  gone, 

Solemn^  deep  possest; 

Anori  he  walks  aside,  alone, 

And  shewes  his  hearts  molest. 

THE  ITALIAN  TAYLOR  AND  HIS  BOYB. 


POETRY  OF  DEEAMS.  47 

— In  broken  gleams 

Glimmered  the  things  I  saw,  so  mixed  with  dreams 
That  vain  confusion  blinded  every  sense, 
And  knowledge  left  me.     Then  a  sleep  intense 
Fell  on  my  brain  and  held  me  as  the  dead, 
Until  a  sudden  tumult  smote  my  head, 
And  a  strong  glare,  as  when  a  torch  is  whirled 
Before  a  sleeper's  eyes,  brought  back  the  world. 

POEMS  OP  THE  ORIENT.    BAYARD  TAYLOR. 


Birds  Singing. 


To  dream  that  you  hear  birds  singing,  indicates  that  you 
will  soon  hear  pleasant  news. 

DAS  REICHHALTIGE  TRAUMBUCH. 

ON  May-day  when  the  Larke  began  to  rise, 
To  matins  went  the  lusty  Nightingale, 
Within  a  temple  shapen  Hawthorn-wise, 
He  might  not  sleep  in  all  the  nightertale, 
But  "  Domine  labia"  gan  he  crie  and  gale, 
"  My  lippes  open,  lord  of  love  I  crie, 
And  let  my  mouth  thy  praising  now  bewrie !" 

"Laudate,"  sang  the  Larke  with  voice  ful  shril, 
And  eke  the  Kite  "  0  admirabile, 
This  quere  wil  thorow  mine  ears  pers  and  thril, 
But  what,  welcome  this  May  season,"  quoth  he, 
And  honour  to  the  lord  of  love  mote  be, 
That  hath  this  feste  so  solemne  and  so  hie, 
"Amen,"  said  all,  and  so  said  eke  the  Pie. 


48  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Thus  sang  they  all  the  service  of  the  feast, 
And  that  was  done  right  erly  to  my  dome, 
And  forth  goeth  all  the  court  both  most  and  least, 

To  fetch  the  flowres  fresh  and  branch  and  blome. 
*****  * 

Eke  each  at  other  threw  the  flowres  bright, 

The  Primerose,  the  Violet  and  the  gold, 

So  then  as  I  beheld  the  royal  sight, 

MY  LADY  'gan  me  sodenly  behold, 

And  with  a  trew-love  plited  many  a  fold, 

She  smote  me  through  the  very  heart  as  blive, 

And  Venus  yet  I  thank  I  am  alive. 

CHAUCER. 


Blood. 

To  dream  of  collecting  blood  betokens  gold,  and  success 
in  love. 

To  see  blood  running  presages  death. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

AND  eke  I  saied  I  met  (dreamed)  of  him  all  night, 

He  would  a  slaine  me,  as  I  lay  upright, 

And  all  my  bed  was  full  of  very  blood, 

But  yet  I  hoped  truely  he  should  doe  me  good  : 

For  blood  betokeneth  GOLD  as  I  was  taught. 

CHAUCER.    THE  WIFE  OF  BATH'S  PROLOGUE. 

When  day  was  gone  and  night  had  come, 

And  all  men  fast  asleep, 
Then  came  the  spirit  of  fair  Margaret, 

And  stood  at  William's  feet. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  49 

Are  you  awake,  sweet  William  ?  she  said ; 

Or  sweet  William  are  you  asleep  ? 
God  give  you  joy  of  your  gay  bride-bed, 

And  me  of  my  winding  sheet. 

When  day  was  come  and  night  was  gone, 

And  all  men  waked  from  sleep, 
Sweet  William  to  his  lady  sayd, 

My  dear,  I  have  cause  to  weep. 

I  dreamt  a  dream,  my  dear  lady£, 

Such  dreams  are  never  good : 
I  dreamed  my  bower  was  full  of  red  wine, 

And  my  bride-bed  full  of  blood. 

Such  dreams,  such  dreams,  my  honoured  Sir, 

They  never  do  prove  good  ;     V 
To  dreame  thy  bower  was  full  of  red  wine, 

And  thy  bride-bed  full  of  blood. 

He  called  up  his  merry  men  all, 

By  one,  by  two,  and  by  three ; 
Saying,  I'll  away  to  fair  Marg'ret's  bower, 

By  the  leave  of  my  ladie\ 

And  when  he  came  to  fair  Marg'ret's  bower, 

He  knocked  at  the  ring ; 
And  who  so  ready  as  her  seven  brethren, 

To  let  sweet  William  in. 

Then  he  turned  up  the  covering-sheet, 

Pray  let  me  see  the  dead ; 
Methinks  she  looks  all  pale  and  wan. 

She  hath  lost  her  cherry  red, 
5 


50  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


Deal  on,  deal  on,  my  merry  men  all, 

Deal  on  your  cake  and  wine ; 
For  whatever  is  dealt  at  her  funeral  to-day, 

Shall  be  dealt  to-morrow  at  mine. 

Fair  Margaret  died  to-day,  to-day, 

Sweet  William  died  the  morrow . 
Fair  Marg'ret  died  for  pure,  pure  love, 

Sweet  William  died  for  sorrow. 

PERCY'S  RELIQUES. 


Boar. 

You  will  le  letrayed,  persecuted,  and  pursued. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

So  on  a  day  he  laid  him  doune  to  slepe, 
And  so  befel  that  in  slepe  him  thought, 
That  in  a  forrest  fast  he  walked  to  wepe, 
For  love  of  her  that  him  these  paines  wrought, 
And  up  and  doune  as  he  that  forest  sought, 
He  dremed  he  saw  a  BORE  with  tuskes  great, 
That  slept  ayenst  the  bright  Sunnes  heat. 

And  by  this  Bore,  fast  in  her  armes  fold, 
Lay  kissing  aye  his  Lady  bright  Creseide, 
For  sorrow  of  which,  when  he  it  gan  behold, 
And  for  dispite,  out  of  his  slepe  he  breide, 
And  loud  he  cried  on  Pandarus,  and  seide, 
"  Oh  Pandarus,  now  know  I  crop  and  root, 
I  nam  but  dead,  there  nis  none  other  boot." 

CHAUCER. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  51 

— And  more  than  so  presenteth  to  mine  eye 
The  picture  of  an  angry  chafing  boar, 

Under  whose  sharp  fangs,  on  his  back  doth  lie, 
An  image  like  thyself,  all  stained  with  gore, 

Whose  blood  upon  the  fresh  flowers  being  shed, 

Doth  make  them  droop  with  grief  and  hang  the  head. 

VENUS  AND  ADONIS. 

A  wounded  boar,  flying  before  his  spear, 

Forsook  the  closer  covert  of  the  wood, 

And,  mad  with  terror,  harrowed  through  the  glades, 

Trailing  his  life  behind  him.     Towards  the  town, 

Followed  by  Ugo  and  his  baying  hounds, 

The  forest  ruffian  sped ;  but  when  the  dogs 

Laid  their  hot  muzzles  to  his  straining  flank, 

Into  the  open  road  he  plunged  amain, 

And  scoured  the  fearful  pathway. 

BOKER. 


Boat. 

To  dream  that  you  are  floating  over  the  water  in  a 
boat  is  a  good  omen,  particularly  if  you  are  in  love.  But 
it  is  very  unpropitious  should  you  dream  of  being  alone, 

or  that  the  bo  it  upsets. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

THERE,  at  unrest,  in  hard  position, 
Sudden  he  saw  a  dreary  vision  : 
He  dreamed  that  in  a  lonely  boat, 
He  rocked  upon  the  palace  moat. 

ALEXANDER'S  VISION.    ELLSWORTH. 


52  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Irme  quiero  madre. 

"  I'll  go  to  yon  boat,  my  mother ; 
0  yes  !  to  yon  boat  I'll  go  ; 
I'll  go  with  the  mariner,  mother, 
And  I'll  be  a  mariner,  too!' 
— "  Tell  me,  ye  waves,  if  ever 
A  maid  so  bright  and  fair, 
Sailed  o'er  your  foam  ?" — "Ah  never 
Was  such  a  damsel  there!" 
— "Tis  nothing  to  me,  my  mother, 
What  love  commands  I'll  do ; 
I'll  go  with  the  mariner,  mother, 
And  I'll  be  a  mariner,  too.' 

Luis  DE  CAMOENS. 


-A  guideless  boat  came  floating  on, 

As  ceased  that  low  melodious  swell. 
Sad  as  the  water's  parting  tone, 
That  lingers  still  within  the  shell. 

Sir  Lancelot,  with  eager  eye, 

Drew  nigh  the  unwonted  freight  to  greet : 
The  wave  heaved  sullenly  and  high, 

And  laid  its  burden  at  his  feet. 

He  saw  fair  flowers  and  jewels  bright, 

He  saw  a  face  of  pallid  hue ; 
And  shrank,  all  heart-struck,  at  the  sight, 

For  well,  alas  !  that  face  he  knew. 

THE  FUNERAL  BOAT,  by  LOUISA  STUART  COSTELLO. 


Books. 

Dream  of  holding  a  book,  you  may  depend  upon  attain- 
ing great  honour. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS* 

A  blank-book  signifies  a  maiden. 

ARTEMIDORUS, 

TAKE  back  the  virgin  page, 

White  and  unwritten  still ; 
Some  hand  more  calm  and  sage, 

The  leaf  must  fill.         *         *         * 
Yet  let  me  keep  the  book : 

Oft  shall  my  heart  renew, 
When  on  its  leaves  I  look, 

Dear  thoughts  of  you. 
Like  you  'tis  fair  and  bright ; 

Like  you,  too  bright  and  fair 
To  let  wild  passion  write 

One  wrong  wish  there. 

MOORE. 

He  sat  and  read.     A  book  with  silver  clasps, 

All  gorgeous  with  illuminated  lines 
Of  gold  and  crimson,  lay  upon  a  frame 

Before  him.     'Twas  a  volume  of  old  time ; 
And  in  it  were  fine  mysteries  of  the  stars 

Solved  with  a  cunning  wisdom,  and  strange  thoughts. 
Half  prophecy  and  poetry,  and  dreams 

Clearer  than  truth ;  and  speculations  wild, 
That  touched  the  secrets  of  your  very  soul, 

They  were  so  based  on  Nature. 

N.  P.  WILLIS. 
5*  (53) 


Bottle — Leather. 

Leather  bottles  presage  a  happy  death. 

[This,  from  a  MS.  Oneirology,  is  the  only  reference  to  Bot- 
tles which  I  have  found  in  any  of  the  old  dream  books. 
It  is  from  the  Greek.] 

'TWAS  God  above  that  made  all  things, 
The  Heavens,  the  earth,  and  all  therein ; 
The  ships  that  on  the  sea  do  swim, 
To  gtuard  from  foes  that  none  come  in ; 
And  let  them  do  all  that  they  can, 
'Tis  but  for  one  end — the  use  of  man. 
So  I  wish  in  heaven  his  soul  may  dwell, 
That  first  found  out  the  leather  bottel. 

Now  what  do  you  say  to  these  cans  of  wood  ? 
Oh  no,  in  faith  they  cannot  be  good ; 
For  if  the  bearer  fall  by  the  way, 
Why  on  the  ground  his  liquor  doth  lay: 
But  had  it  been  in  a  leather  bottel, 
Although  he  had  fallen,  all  had  been  well. 
So  I  wish  in  heaven  his  soul  may  dwell, 
That  first  found  out  the  leather  bottel. 

And  when  the  bottel  at  last  grows  old, 
And  will  good  liquor  no  longer  hold, 
Out  of  the  side  you  may  make  a  clout 
To  mend  your  shoes  when  they're  worn  out; 

(54) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  55 

Or  take  and  hang  it  up  on  a  pin, 
'Twill  serve  to  put  hinges  and  old  things  in. 
So  I  wish  in  heaven  his  soul  may  dwell, 
That  first  found  out  the  leather  bottfcl. 

From  THE  ANTIDOTE  TO  MELANCHOLY.  1682. 


Bow. 

To  dream  of  finding  a  bended  bow  presages  a  happy 
journey  and  a  prosperous  return. 


ACHMET  SEIRIM. 


THERE  was  heard  the  sound  of  a  coming  foe, 
There  was  sent  through  Britain  a  bended  bow, 
And  a  voice  was  poured  on  the  free  winds  far, 
As  the  land  rose  up  at  the  sound  of  war. 
"  Heard  ye  not  the  battle  horn  ? 
— Reaper  !  leave  the  golden  corn ! 
Leave  it  for  the  birds  of  heaven, 
Swords  must  flash  and  spears  be  riven. 
Leave  it  for  the  winds  to  shed — 
Arm  !  ere  Britain's  turf  grow  red!" 
And  the  reaper  armed  like  a  freeman's  son, 
And  the  bended  bow  and  the  voice  passed  on. 

"  Prince  !  thy  father's  deeds  are  told, 
In  the  bower  and  in  the  hold  ! 
Where  the  goatherd's  lay  is  sung, 
Where  the  minstrel's  harp  is  strung  ! 
— Foes  are  on  thy  native  sea — 
Give  our  bards  a  tale  of  thee  !" 


56  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

And  the  prince  came  armed  like  a  leader's  son, 
And  the  bended  bow  and  the  voice  passed  on. 

"  Mother  !  stay  thou  not  thy  boy  ! 

He  must  learn  the  battle's  joy. 

Sister !  bring  the  sworcj.  and  spear, 

Give  thy  brother  words  of  cheer  ! 

Maiden  !  bid  thy  lover  part ! 

Britain  calls  the  strong  in  heart !" 
And  the  bended  bow  and  the  voice  passed  on, 
And  the  bards  made  song  for  a  battle  won. 

HEMANS. 


Bracelets — Jewellery. 

It  is  a  favourable  omen  for  a  lady  to  dream  of  bracelets, 
for  she  shall  obtain  them. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

v 

To  SILVIA. 

I  BRAKE  thy  bracelet  'gainst  my  will, 

And  wretched  I  did  see 
Thee  discomposed  then,  and  still 

Art  dis&mtcnt  with  me. 

One  gem  was  lost,  and  I  will  get 

A  richer  pearl  for  thee, 
Than  ever,  dearest  Silvia,  yet 

Was  drunk  for  Anthony. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


57 


Or,  for  revenge,  I'll  tell  thee  what, 
Thou  for  the  breach  shalt  do ; 

First  crack  the  strings,  and  after  that 
Cleave  thou  my  heart  in  two. 


Thy  white  arms  are  locked  in 
Broad  bracelets  of  gold ; 
Thy  girdle-stead's  gleaming 
With  treasures  untold : 
The  circlet  that  binds  up 
Thy  long  yellow  hair, 
Is  starred  thick  with  jewels, 
That  bright  are,  and  rare  : 
But  gifts  yet  more  princely 
Jarl  Egill  bestows, 
For  girdle,  his  great  arm 
Around  thee  he  throws. 


Breeze. 


HERRICK. 


MOTHERWELL. 


To  dream  of  gentle  breezes  softly  blowing  (venti  leniter 
et  placide  spirantes)  is  a  favourable  sign  for  lovers. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

UP  the  dale  and  down  the  bourne 

O'er  the  meadow  swift  we  fly ; 
Now  we  sing  and  now  we  mourn, 

Now  we  whistle,  now  we  sigh. 


58  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

By  the  grassy  fringed  river, 

Through  the  murmuring  reeds  we  sweep ; 
'Mid  the  lily  leaves  we  quiver, 

To  their  very  hearts  we  creep. 

Now  the  maiden  rose  is  blushing 

At  the  frolic  things  we  say, 
While  aside  her  cheeks  were  rushing, 

Like  some  truant  bees  at  play. 

Through  the  blooming  groves  we  rustle, 

Kissing  every  bud  we  pass ; 
As  we  did  it  in  the  bustle, 

Scarcely  knowing  what  it  was. 

Down  the  glen,  across  the  mountain, 
O'er  the  yellow  heath  we  roam  ; 

Whirling  round  about  the  fountain, 
Till  its  little  breakers  foam. 

Bending  down  the  weeping  willows, 
While  our  vesper  hymn  we  sigh  : 

Then  unto  our  rosy  pillows 
On  our  weary  wings  we  hie. 

SONG  OF  THE  SUMMER  WINUS,  by  G.  DARNLEY. 


Bride. 

To  see  a  bride  adorned  or  dead,  signifies  joy  and  happi- 
ness, 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

I  SAW  two  maids  at  the  kirk, 

And  both  were  fair  and  sweet : 
One  in  her  wedding  robe, 

And  one  in  her  winding-sheet. 

The  choristers  sang  the  hymn, 

The  sacred  rites  were  read ; 
And  one  for  life  to  life, 

And  one  to  Death  was  wed. 

They  were  borne  to  their  bridal  beds, 

In  loveliness  and  bloom  ; 
One  in  a  merry  castle, 

The  other  a  solemn  tomb. 

One  on  the  morrow  woke, 

In  a  world  of  sin  and  pain ; 
But  the  other  was  happier  far, 

And  never  awoke  again. 

STODDARD. 

Bride  !  upon  thy  marriage  day, 
When  the  gems  in  rich  array 
Made  the  glistening  mirror  seem 
As  a  star  reflecting  stream ; 

(59) 


60  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Did  the  fluttering  of  thy  breath 
Speak  of  joy  or  woe  beneath.     *     *     * 
There  were  sounds  of  weeping  o'er  thee, 
Bride  !  as  forth  thy  kindred  bore  thee, 
Shrouded  in  thy  gleaming  veil, 
Deaf  to  that  wild  funeral  wail. 

HEMANS. 


Bridge. 


To  dream  of  going  under  a  bridge  presages  bitter  disap- 
pointment, but  to  pass  over  it  is  a  most  favourable  omen. 

NIC.  VON  KLINGELBERG. 

GOD'S  blessing  on  the  architects  who  build 
The  bridges  o'er  swift  rivers  and  abysses 
Before  impassable  to  human  feet, 
No  less  than  on  the  builders  of  cathedrals, 
Whose  massive  walls  are  bridges  thrown  across 

The  dark  and  terrible  abyss  of  Death. 

****** 

The  grave  itself  is  but  a  covered  bridge 

Leading  from  light  to  light,  through  a  brief  darkness. 

LONGFELLOW. 

THE  BRIDGE  AND  THE  BROOK. 

He  casts  his  arms  around  her, 

But  ever  finds  her  gone : 
The  love-span  hath  not  bound  her, 

And  still  the  brook  runs  on. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  61 

"Fair  Sun ! — be  thou  my  dearest !" 

She  rose  his  love  to  gain 
In -dreamy  misty  beauty, 

But  sunk  in  storm  and  rain. 

* 

Leave  not,  for  one  above  thee, 

A  heart,  once  true  for  years  : 
A  few  brief  hours  he'll  love  thee, 

Then  cast  thee  back  in  tears. 

C.  G.  LELAND. 


Brook — Rivulet. 


A  brook  running  clearly  and  beautifully  presages  great 
pleasure  in  some  company  or  assembly.  If  in  a  house,  it 
denotes  wealth. 

ACHMET  SEIRIM. 

A  DREAM  of  beauty;  of  the  laugh  of  waves, 
And  the  bright  rushing  of  a  swollen  brook ; 

Its  bursting  into  light  from  sunless  caves, 
Under  the  network  of  a  woven  nook, 

Which  moss-grown  roots  entwined  and  roofed  with  green. 

Spangled  with  shining  stones  and  sparry  sheen: 
Silent  and  dark  within  its  shadowy  rest, 
The  water  lay,  scarce  heaving  underneath 
The  drooping  brake-leaves  or  the  trailing  wreath 

Of  lady-fern  and  moss  upon  its  breast ; 
Yet  with  a  murmur  rather  felt  than  heard, 
That  told  the  faint  heart  of  the  fountain  stirred. 


62  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

A  dream  of  beauty;  of  the  arching  trees 
Heavy  with  blossoms,  and  the  cool  fresh  breeze 

Curling  the  foam-wreaths  in  the  brook's  bright  spring, 
Silent  no  longer;  with  the  pleasant  gush 
Of  gurgling  waters,  and  the  frequent  rush 

Cleaving  the  air,  of  many  a  golden  wing, 
And  the  low  rustling  in  the  leaves  o'erhead, 
And  the  soft  sunlight  through  the  branches  shed. 

LILLA  GRAHAM. 

— It  ceased,  yet  still  the  sails  made  on 

A  pleasant  noise  till  noon, 
A  noise  like  of  a  hidden  brook, 

In  the  leafy  month  of  June, 
That  to  the  sleeping  woods  all  night 

Singeth  a  quiet  tune. 

COLERIDGE. 


Brother. 

To  dream  of  a  brother,  according  to  ARTEMIDORUS,  is 
ominous  of  misfortune.  VON  GERSTENBERGK  declares 
that  it  presages  a  long  life. 

RELUCTANT  now,  as  night  came  on, 

His  lonely  couch  he  pressed, 
And  wearied  out  he  sunk  to  sleep — 

To  sleep, but  not  to  rest. 

Beside  that  couch  his  brother's  form, 
Lord  Edmund  seemed  to  stand, 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  63 


Such  and  so  pale  as  when  in  death, 

He  grasped  his  brother's  hand. 
*  ***** 

He  started  up,  each  limb  convulsed 

"With  agonizing  fear ; 
He  only  heard  the  storm  of  night, — 

'Twas  music  to  his  ear. 

When  lo !  the  voice  of  loud  alarm 

His  inmost  soul  appals ; 
"What  ho  !  Lord  William,  rise  in  haste! 

The  water  saps  thy  walls  !" 

He  rose  in  haste ;  beneath  the  walls 

He  saw  the  flood  appear  ; 
It  hemmed  him  round ;  'twas  midnight  now  ; 

No  human  aid  was  near. 

SOUTHEY. 


Castle. 

If  any  one  dream  that  he  have  a  castle  amid  groves  or 
floods,  it  behooveth  him  to  loolc  to  his  bodily  welfare;  and  if 
he  dream  that  trophies  or  signs  of  honour  are  borne  away 
from  these,  it  portends  the  death  of  noble  ladies  or  of  wise 
men. 

ACHMET,  c.  256. 

Castles  presage  sorrow  and  bereavement. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

HAST  thou  seen  that  lordly  castle, 
That  castle  by  the  sea  ? 


64  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Golden  and  red  above  it 
The  clouds  float  gorgeously. 

And  fain  it  would  stoop  downward 
To  the  mirrored  wave  below ; 

And  fain  it  would  soar  upward 
In  the  evening's  crimson  glow. 

"Well  have  I  seen  that  castle, 

That  castle  by  the  sea, 
And  the  moon  above  it  standing, 

And  the  mist  rise  solemnly." 

"The  winds  and  the  waves  of  ocean, 

Had  they  a  merry  chime  ? 
Didst  thou  hear  from  those  lofty  chambers, 

The  harp  and  the  minstrel's  rhyme  ? 

"The  winds  and  the  waves  of  ocean, 

They  rested  quietly ; 
But  I  heard  on  the  gale  a  sound  of  wail, 

And  tears  came  to  my  eye.'7 

And  sawest  thou  on  the  turrets 
The  king  and  his  royal  bride  ? 

And  the  wave  of  their  crimson  mantles? 
And  the  golden  crown  of  pride? 

Led  they  not  forth  in  rapture 

A  beauteous  maiden  there? 
Resplendent  as  the  morning  sun, 

Beaming  with  golden  hair  ? 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  65 

"  Well  saw  I  the  ancient  parents, 

Without  the  crown  of  pride ; 
They  were  moving  slow  in  weeds  of  woe, 

No  maiden  was  by  their  side !" 

UHLAND. 
Translated  by  LONGFELLOW. 


Caverns. 

To  dream  of  dwelling  in  a  cavern,  denotes  that  you  will, 
notwithstanding  all  your  abilities,  remain  hidden  in  ob- 
scurity, unless  you  make  vigorous  efforts  to  rise  in  the 
world. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK,  p.  71. 

Dark  dens  forbode  suffering. 

JOH.  PR^ETORIUS. 

WE'LL  dream  of  caverns  in  the  lonely  wild, 

And  dim  light  glistening  from  the  crystal  walls, 

And  o'er  the  Stygian  waters,  cold  as  snow, 

That  wash  the  statues  rude,  in  rock,  of  men 

Whose  battle-axes  of  the  flint-stone  cut, 

Clashed  in  the  conflict  centuries  ago. 

Such  cooling  dreams  shall  charm  us,  till  again 

We  tempt  the  timid  dwellers  in  the  stream ; 

And  the  day  grows  rich  as  night  steals  on,  like  hopes 

More  brightly  blooming  'neath  Death's  sable  hour. 

REV.  G.  IIUNTINGTON. 

6* 


66  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


Hence,  loathed  Melancholy, 

Of  Cerberus,  and  blackest  midnight  born, 

In  Stygian  cave  forlorn, 
'Mongst  horrid  shapes,  and  shrieks,  and  sights  unholy, 

Find  out  some  uncouth  cell, 
Where  brooding  darkness  spreads  her  jealous  wings, 

And  the  Night  Raven  sings  : 
There,  under  ebon  shades,  and  low-browed  rocks, 

As  ragged  as  thy  locks, 
In  dark  Cimmerian  desert  ever  dwell ! 

MILTON. 


Ere  long  they  come,  where  that  same  wicked  wight* 
His  dwelling  has.     Low  in  a  hollow  cave, 

Far  underneath  a  craggy  cliff,  ypight, 
Dark,  doleful,  dreary,  like  a  greedy  grave-. 

SPENSER. 

One  night,  my  task  diurnal  done, 
(For  I  had  travelled  with  the  sun, 

O'er  burning  sands,  o'er  snows,) 
Fatigued,  I  sought  the  couch  of  rest ; 
My  wonted  prayer  to  heaven  addressed  ; — 
But  scarce  had  I  my  pillow  pressed, 

When  thus  a  vision  rose  : — 

Methought,  within  a  desert  cave, 
Cold,  dark,  and  solemn  as  the  grave, 

I  suddenly  awoke. 
It  seemed  of  sable  night,  the  cell ; 
Where,  save  wrhen  from  the  ceiling  fell 
An  oozing  drop,  her  silent  spell 

No  sound  had  ever  broke. 

i.e.  Despair. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  67 

There,  motionless,  I  stood  alone, 
Like  some  strange  monument  of  stone, 

Upon  a  barren  wild ; 
Or  like  (so  solid  and  profound 
The  darkness  seemed  that  walled  me  round) 
A  man  that's  buried  under  ground, 

Where  pyramids  are  piled. 

Thus  fixed,  a  dreadful  hour  I  passed ; 
And  now  I  heard  as  from  a  blast, 

A  voice  pronounce  my  name  : 
Nor  long  upon  my  ear  it  dwelt, 
When  round  me  'gan  the  air  to  melt, 
And  motion  once  again  I  felt 

Quick  circling  o'er  my  frame. 

WASHINGTON  ALLSTOX. 


Change — Mutation . 

Changing  and  varied  dreams  are  of  good  omen,  especiaU 
to  women,  and  to  invalids. 

WEARIED  and  worn  with  musings  deep, 
Hearing  no  sound  save  the  rustling  of  leaves, 
Watching  the  network  the  spider  weaves ; 

The  poet  sank  down  in  sleep. 

Evening's  shadows  dimmed  earth  and  sky, 
Darkness,  in  vapors  apparelled,  drew  near, 
Bearing  strange  sounds  to  the  slumberer's  ear, 

And  visions  to  mock  his  eye. 


68  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


Night  bears  on  her  forehead  a  frown ; 
The  hurricane's  voice  is  surly  and  hoarse, 
As  it  shakes  the  trees  in  its  wrathful  course. 

And  hurls  their  proud  branches  down. 

Beauty  and  song  and  harmless  mirth, 
Joyous  young  forms,  in  the  innocent  dance, 
Happy  young  hearts  in  love's  rapturous  trance, 

And  peace  on  the  sleeping  earth. 

Prayer  in  the  holy  house  of  GOD  ; 
Hearts  of  humility,  penitent  tears — 
Hopes  of  forgiveness  contending  with  fears ; 
1   And  thoughts  of  the  grave's  green  sod, 

A  vision  of  future  delight : 
Beauty  in  all  things,  and  all  things  in  One  ; 
Morning's  first  welcoming  smile  from  the  sun ; 

The  end  of  the  dreaming  night. 

G.  M.  RADCLIPF. 


Chefs  or  Dice. 

An  evil  dream,  unless  you  seem  to  win. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

I  LAY  beneath  a  rose-tree, 
And  felt  the  breezes  blow : 
They  shook  the  rose-leaves  o'er  me 
Like  a  shower  of  fragrant  snow. 
And  still  as  the  blossoms  their  pale  leaves  wept, 
My  eye-lids  fell  with  them.     I  slept — and  slept. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


But  soon  to  a  scene  Elysian 

I  wandered  in  a  trice, 

And  saw  in  the  land  of  vision 

Two  damsels  casting  dice  ; 

And  while  o'er  me  the  rose-tree  its  white  leaves  wept. 
They  played  for  the  dreamer  who  slept — and  slept. 

And  I  dreamed  that  the  fairest  won  me 

With  a  lucky  "  Venus  throw/' 

And  lovingly  gazed  upon  me, 

And  called  me  to  rise  and  go, 
And  linger  no  longer  where  rose-trees  wept ; 
But  I  woke  to  my  sorrow — no  more  I  slept. 

I  would  that  the  life  which  loans  me 

To  sleep,  ne'er  called  me  to  wake ; 

And  I  wish  that  the  maid  who  owns  me 

Had  carried  away  her  stake, 
Nor  left  it  lying  where  rose -leaves  wept, 
For  another  to  steal  while  he  slept — and  slept. 

C.  G.  LELAND. 


Children — Infants . 

A  dream  of  melancholy  omen,  generally  foreboding 
sickness.  Children  running  about  a  house  betoken  do- 
mestic trouble. 

I  STOOD  in  a  dream  at  the  altar, — 
But  it  was  as  an  earthly  bride ; 
And  Eleemon,  thy  freedman, 
Was  the  bridegroom  at  my  side. 


70  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Thou,  father,  gavest  me  to  him, 
With  thy  free  and  full  consent ; 
And — why  should  I  dissemble  it  ? — 
Methought  I  was  content. 

Months  then  and  years  were  crowded 
In  the  course  of  that  busy  night ; 
I  clasped  a  baby  to  my  breast, 
And,  oh  !  with  what  delight ! 
#  *  *  *  *  * 

For  he  too  in  the  dreams  of  night 
At  the  altar  had  seemed  to  stand ; 
And  to  Eleemon,  his  freedman, 
Had  given  his  daughter's  hand. 

Their  offspring,  courting  his  caress, 

About  his  knees  had  thronged ; 
A  lovely  progeny,  in  whom 
When  he  was  in  the  silent  tomb, 

His  line  should  be  prolonged. 

SOUTHEY. 

I  in  a  vision  went,  and  saw 

From  the  low  grave  asunder  breaking, 

A  face  of  beauty,  smiling  like 
A  baby's  in  the  cradle  waking. 

ALICE  CAREY 


Church. 

To  dream  of  entering  a  beautiful  church  is  a  fortunate 
omen. 

ACHMET,  C.  148. 

As  then  they  on  my  vision  rose, 

The  vaulted  aisles  I  see, 
And  desk  and  cushioned  book  repose 

In  solemn  sanctity, — 
The  mitre  o'er  the  marble  niche, 

The  broken  crook  and  key, 
That  from  a  bishop's  tomb  shone  rich 

With  polished  tracery. 

COGSWELL. 

A  dream  wafts  me  back  to  childhood, 

And  I  shake  my  hoary  head, 
How  ye  crowd  on  my  soul,  ye  visions, 

I  thought  were  for  ever  fled  ! 

There  glistens  o'er  dusky  foliag 

A  lordly  pile  elate  ; 
I  know  these  towers  and  turrets, 

The  bridges,  the  massive  gate. 

I  enter  the  chapel,  and  look  for 

My  ancestor's  hallowed  grave ; 
'Tis  here,  and  on  yonder  pillar, 

Is  hanging  his  antique  glaive. 

(71) 


Cities. 

To  dream  of  cities  full  of  inhabitants  and  showing 
signs  of  prosperity  is  an  excellent  dream,  not  indeed  for 
yourself,  but  for  those  friends  and  relations  who  are  dear 
to  you.  But  if  the  cities  are  ruined  and  desolate,  your 
friends  will  meet  with  poverty  and  affliction. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

TOWRED  cities  please  us  then, 
And  the  busie  humm  of  men. 

MILTON.  I/ALLEGRO. 

And  lo !  even  like  a  giant  wight 
Slumbering  his  battle  toils  away, 

The  sleep-locked  CITY,  gleaming  bright 
With  many  a  dazzling  ray, 

Lies  stretched  in  vastness  at  my  feet.  *  * 
In  this  religious  calm  of  night, 
Behold  with  finger  calm  and  bright, 
Each  tapering  spire  points  to  the  sky, 
In  a  fond,  holy  ecstasy. 

MOTHERWELL. 

— Beautiful  Seville ! 

Of  which  I've  dreamed  until  I  saw  its  towers 
In  every  cloud  that  hid  the  setting  sun, — 
Saw  its  long  trains  of  youths  and  maidens  fair 
Sweep,  like  a  sunlit  stream,  along  the  streets, — 
Saw  its  cathedrals  vast,  its  palaces, 
Its  marts  o'erladen  with  the  Indies'  spoils, 
Its  galleys  rocking  in  the  crowded  bays, — 
Heard  its  loud  hum  by  day,  its  airs  by  night 
Struck  from  guitars,  that  guide  the  busy  feet 
Of  busy  youth  across  the  springing  ground. 
Methinks  the  moon  shines  brighter  on  Seville, 

And  ev'ry  star  looks  larger  for  mere  joy ! 

Bonn. 
(72) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  73 

'- 


I  try  to  decipher  the  legend, 

But  a  mist  is  upon  my  eyes, 
Though  the  light  from  the  painted  window 

Full  on  the  marble  lies. 

% 
Home  of  my  fathers,  how  plainly, 

Thou  standest  before  me  now ! 
Yet  thou  from  earth  art  vanished, 

And  over  thee  goes  the  plough. 

CH  AMIS  so. 


Climbing. 

If  you  dream  of  climbing  or  ascending  to  an  elevated 
spot,  and  reach  it ;  the  sign  is  extremely  favourable,  indi- 
cating that  you  will  accomplish  ivhat  you  most  desire  ;  but 
if  you  awake  before  attaining  it,  disappointment  is  pre- 
saged, with  danger  from  sickness.  According  to  the  patri- 
arch NICEPHORUS,  to  dream  of  ascending  a  mountain  de- 
notes great  energy  and  success  in  worldly  affairs — or, 
"  montem  ascendens,  vim  in  negotiis  significat." 

I  CLIMBED  the  lonely  mountain  in  dreams  by  storm  and 

night ; 
I  sought  the  land  of  Roses — the  land  of  crimson  light. 

I  went  to  bring  a  garland  from  those  mysterious  plains, 
A  garland  for  my  lady,  from  where  the  Elfin  reigns. 

But  when  returned  again  to  earth,  I  thought  no  more  of 

love; 
My  only  thought  by  night  and  day  was  that  fair  land  above. 

7 


74  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

And  though  I  nought  remember  of  all  I  there  have  seen, 
My  only  thought  by  night  and  day  is  that  I  there  have 
been. 

And  let  the  friends  around  me  here  speak  kindly  as  they 

will ; 
I  think  of  unknown  gentle  ones,  whose  hearts  are  kinder 

still. 

Sweet  gentle  ones  who  wait  for  me — far  in  the  distant 

Blue: 
I  long  to  join  them  once  again,  and  bid  the  world  adieu, 

Like  one  who  lingers  night  and  day  upon  a  lonely  shore, 
And  gazes  o'er  a  silent  sea  for  barks  which  come  no  more. 

And  there  is  many  a  man  on  earth,  unfriended  and  alone, 
Who  in  the  distant  land  of  light  is  as  a  monarch  known. 

Farewell,  sweet  land  of  Vision — farewell,  sweet  land  of 

Song ! 
Farewell,  thou  land  of  golden  dreams,  which  I  have  loved 

so  long ! 

But  not  farewell  for  ever — earth  cannot  always  last, 
The  spell  which  chills  the  soul  at  night  with  morning  light 
is  past.         N 


Clouds. 

To  dream  of  white  clouds  presages  happiness.  To  see 
'them  rising  to  the  heavens  indicates  a  journey  to  those  who 
are  at  home,  or  a  speedy  return  to  those  who  are  away ;  and 
a  knowledge  of  hidden  things  to  all.  Grolden  or  taivny 
clouds  betoken  ill  fortune,  misty  or  foggy  clouds  are  a 
sign  of  anxiety  and  trouble,  while  black  ones  denote  tem- 
pests and  trouble. 

^      ARTEMIDORUS,  1.  2,  c.  40. 

YE  light,  fantastic,  fleecy  clouds,  that  lie 
In  lucid  whiteness  on  the  clear  blue  sky, 
Fancy  has  given  ye  shape,  and  form,  and  name, 
But  as  I  gaze,  ye  seem  no  more  the  same ; 
A  tinge  of  gold  your  snowy  whiteness  streaks, 
A  deeper  glow  with  sudden  glory  breaks ; 
Now,  broken,  faded,  parted  ye  appear  : 
Like  floating  atoms  in  the  thin  clear  air — 
Thus  fancy's  airy  fabrics  often  fly — 
Like  the  light  clouds,  upon  the  clear  blue  sky. 

H. 

MAIDEN. 

"  I  dreamed  I  saw  a  snowy  cloud 

Sail  like  a  spirit  o'er  the  Blue, 
It  bent  not  in  its  course,  nor  bowed ; 

What  meant  the  form  of  silver  hue  ?" 

(75) 


76  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


SEER. 

"  A  happy  life — a  title  proud, 
A  fortune  grand,  a  lover  true." 

MAIDEN. 

"  But  ere  my  cloud  its  course  had  run, 
It  changed  its  hue  of  snowy  white  : 

And  melting  in  the  setting  sun, 
Died  in  a  gold  and  crimson  light !  " 

SEER. 

"  Thou'lt  die  at  last  a  mournful  nun, 
If  I  have  read  thy  fortune  right." 

VON  HALLBERG. 


Coffin. 

To  dream  of  an  empty  coffin  presages  that  some  one 
whose  death  yon  apprehend,  will  live.  A  coffin  with  a  corpse 
forebodes  death.  A  covered  coffin  is  a  sign  of  long  life 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

0  HEARD  ye  yon  pibrach  sound  sad  in  the  gale, 
Where  a  band  cometh  slowly  with  weeping  and  wail  ? 
'Tis  the  chief  of  Glenara  laments  for  his  dear ; 
And  her  sire,  and  the  people  are  called  to  her  bier. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  77 

Glenara  came  first,  with  the  mourners  and  shroud ; 
Her  kinsmen  they  followed,  but  mourned  not  aloud : 
Their  plaids  all  their  bosoms  were  folded  around : 
They  marched  all  in  silence — they  looked  on  the  ground. 

In  silence  they  reached  over  mountain  and  moor, 
To  a  heath  where  the  oak-tree  grew  lonely  and  hoar ; 
"  Now  here  let  us  place  the  gray  stone  of  her  cairn : 
Why  speak  ye  no  word?"  said  Glenara  the  stern. 

"  And  tell  me,  I  charge  you,  ye  clan  of  my  spouse, 
"Why  fold  ye  your  mantles,  why  cloud  ye  your  brows  ?" 
So  spake  the  rude  chieftain ; — no  answer  is  made, 
But  each  mantle  unfolding,  a  dagger  displayed. 

"  I  dreamt  of  my  lady,  I  dreamt  of  her  shroud,'1 
Cried  a  voice  from  the  kinsmen,  all  wrathful  and  loud ; 
"  And  empty  that  shroud  and  that  coffin  did  seem  : 
Glenara  !  Glenara  !  now  read  me  my  dream  !" 

0 !  pale  grew  the  cheek  of  that  chieftain,  I  ween, 
When  the  shroud  was  unclosed,  and  no  lady  was  seen; 
When  a  voice  from  the  kinsmen  spoke  louder  in  scorn : 
'Twas  the  youth  who  had  loved  the  fair  Ellen  of  Lorn. 

"  I  dreamt  of  my  lady,  I  dreamt  of  her  grief, 
I  dreamt  that  her  lord  was  a  barbarous  chief : 
On  a  rock  of  the  ocean,  fair  Ellen  did  seem ; 
Glenara  !  Glenara  !  now  read  me  my  dream  !" 

In  dust  low  the  traitor  has  knelt  to  the  ground, 
And  the  deserts  revealed  where  his  lady  was  found ; 
From  a  rock  of  the  ocean  that  beauty  is  borne, 
Now  joy  to  the  house  of  fair  Ellen  of  Lorn  ! 

7  *  CAMPBELL. 


Country — Rural  Scenes. 

To  dream  of  being  among  beautiful  rural  scenes,  decked 
with  flowers,  and  fanned  by  pleasant  breezes,  denotes 
wealth,  esteem,  and  especially,  happiness  in  love. 

AGAIN  in  sleep,  I  walked  by  singing  streams, 

And  it  was  May-day  in  my  Realm  of  Dreams  : — 

The  flowering  pastures  and  the  trees 

Were  full  of  noisy  birds  and  bees  ; 

And  swinging  roses,  like  sweet  censers,  went 

The  village  children  making  merriment, 

Followed  by  older  people  ; — as  they  passed 

One  beckoned,  and  I  joined  the  rest. 

We  crossed  the  meadow — crossed  the  brook, 

And  through  the  scented  woodland  took 

Our  happy  way,  until  we  found 

An  open  space  of  vernal  ground ; 

And  there,  around  the  flowery  pole 

I  joined  the  joyous  throng  and  sang  with  all  my  soul ! 

But  when  the  little  ones  had  crowned  their  queen, 

And  danced  their  mazes  to  the  wooded  scene, 

To  hunt  the  honeysuckles,  and  carouse 

Under  the  spice-wood  boughs, — 

I  turned  and  saw  with  wondering  eye 

A  maiden  in  a  bower  near  by, 

Wreathed  with  unknown  blossoms,  such  as  bloom 

In  orient  isles,  with  wonderful  perfume ; 

And  she  was  very  beautiful  and  bright.         *         * 

THE  REALM  OP  DREAMS.    T.  B.  READ. 
(78) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  79 

And  even  I,  by  visions  led, 

The  Arctic  wastes  of  snow  may  stem  ; 
The  Tartar's  black  tents  view,  or  tread 

Thy  gardens,  oh  Jerusalem  ! 

ALICE  CAREY. 


Crucifix. 

Great  good  fortune. 


VON  KLINGELBERG. 


— STEADILY  worked  the  artist  alone, 

Carving  the  Christ  from  the  ivory  bone. 

Again  the  bright  presence  shone  around, 

With  a  light  more  dazzling,  more  profound. 

Through  day,  through  night,  through  fair,  through  foul, 

The  artist  worked  with  a  single  soul ; 

And  when  hand  would  tire,  or  eye  grow  dim, 

He  looked  at  the  stars  that  looked  at  him, 

Until  power  and  vision  both  were  given — 

And  he  carved  the  Christ  by  light  from  Heaven. 

Under  each  cruel  thorn-point,  he  hid 

A  world  of  grief,  and  each  drooping  lid 

Was  closed  round  its  mortal  tears  of  pain ; 

But  the  nostrils  curved,  in  proud  disdain 

Of  Death  and  his  feeble  tyranny ; 

And  the  mouth  was  calm  with  victory. 

BOKEE. 


Crying  out — Calling. 

To  dream  that  you  hear  any  one  crying  out  for  aid,  de- 
notes that  the  person  dreamed  of  is  in  imminent  danger. 
Curious  tales  illustrating  this  ancient  belief,  may  be  found 
in  PLUTARCH,  and  in  APULEIUS. 

IN  the  night  time,  when  I  should  take  my  rest, 
I  weepe,  I  waile,  I  wet  my  bed  with  teares, 
And  when  dead  sleepe  my  spirits  hath  apprest, 
Troubled  with  dreames,  I  fantasie  vain  feares. 
Mine  husband's  voice  then  ringeth  at  mine  ears, 

Crying  for  helpe,  0  save  me  from  the  death  ! 

These  villains  heere  do  seeke  to  stop  my  breath  ! 

G.  FERRERS,  1610. 

At  length,  into  the  obscure  forest  came 

The  vision  I  had  sought  through  grief  and  shame. 

Soft  as  an  Incarnation  of  the  Sun, 

When  light  is  changed  to  love ;  this  glorious  One 
Floated  into  the  cavern  where  I  lay, 
And  called  my  Spirit,  and  the  dreaming  clay 

Was  lifted  by  the  thing  that  dreamed  below, 

As  smoke  by  fire,  and  in  her  beauty's  glow 
I  stood,  and  felt  the  dawn  of  my  long  night 
Was  penetrating  me  with  living  light : 

I  knew  it  was  the  vision  veiled  from  me 

So  many  years. 

SHELLEY. 
(80) 


Cupid. 


To  dream  of  seeing  the  god  of  Love,  either  in  person,  or 
in  pictures  or  statues,  is  a  very  favourable  omen  for  lovers. 
But  the  dream  is  most  favourable  when  you  see  him  in 
white  marble,  for  this  denotes  purity  and  constancy  in  love. 

VON  KLINGELBERG. 

OVER  the  mountains, 

And  under  the  waves, 
Over  the  fountains, 

And  under  the  graves  ; 
Under  floods  which  are  deepest, 

Which  do  Neptune  obey  ; 
Over  rocks  which  are  steepest, 

Love  will  finde  out  the  way. 

Where  there  is  no  place 

For  the  gloweworm  to  lie, 
Where  there  is  no  space 

For  the  rest  of  a  fly  ; 
Where  the  gnat  dare  not  venture, 

Lest  herself  fast  she  laye  ; 
If  Love  comes,  he'll  enter, 

And  will  finde  out  the  way. 

Some  thinke  to  lose  him, 

Which  is  too  unkinde  ; 
And  some  do  suppose  him, 

Poore  hearte,  to  be  blinde  : 
But  if  maiden  be  hidden, 

Do  the  beste  that  you  maye, 
Blinde  Love,  if  you  so  calle  him, 

Will  finde  out  the  way. 

(81) 


82  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Well  maye  the  Eagle 

Stoop  down  to  the  fist, 
Or  you  may  inveigle 

The  Phoenix  of  the  East ; 
With  fear,  tigers  move 

To  give  over  their  preye, 
But  ne'er  stop  a  lover, — 

He  will  finde  out  the  way. 

From  the  courte  to  the  cottage, 

From  bower  to  the  hall ; 
From  the  kinge  to  the  beggar, 

True  love  conquers  all. 
Though  ne'er  so  stoute  and  lordly, 

Strive  or  doe  what  you  may, 
Yet  be  you  ne'er  so  hardy, 

Love  will  finde  out  the  way. 

If  the  earthe  should  part  him 

He  would  gallop  it  o'er, 
If  the  seas  should  o'erthwarte  him 

He  would  swim  to  the  shore  ; 
Should  his  love  become  a  swallow 

Through  the  air  to  straye, 
Love  woulde  lend  wings  to  follow, 

And  finde  out  the  way. 

TRUTH'S  INTEGRITY,  A.D.  1611. 


Daffodils. 


Daffodils  presage  good  fortune  to  shepherds,  and  to  all 
who  are  in  trouble.     But  to  the  sick  it  is  a  sign  of  death. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

WHEN  a  daffodil  I  see, 
Hanging  down's  head  towards  me, 
Guess  I  may  what  I  may  be  : 
First,  I  shall  decline  my  head, 
Secondly,  I  shall  be  dead ; 

Lastly,  safely  buried. 

HEERICK. 

I  wandered  lonely  as  a  cloud 

That  floats  on  high  o'er  vales  and  hills, 

When  all  at  once  I  saw  a  crowd, 

A  host  of  golden  daffodils ; 

Beside  the  lake,  beneath  the  trees, 

Fluttering  and  dancing  in  the  breeze. 

WORDSWORTH. 

Fair  daffodils,  we  weep  to  see 

You  haste  away  so  soon ; 
As  yet  the  early-rising  sun 

Has  not  attained  his  noon : 
Stay,  stay,  until  the  hastening  day 

Has  run  but  to  the  even-song; 
And  having  prayed  together,  we 
Will  go  with  you  along. 


* 

84  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


We  have  short  time  to  stay,  as  you ; 
We  have  as  short  a  spring, 
As  quick  a  growth  to  meet  decay ; 
As  you,  or  anything:  We  die 
As  your  hours  do ;  and  dry  away 

Like  to  the  summer's  rain, 
Or  as  the  pearls  of  morning  dew, 

Ne'er  to  be  found  again. 


HERBICK. 


Daisy. 


To  dream  of  daisies  presages  noble,  constant,  and  Jion* 
curable  love. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

OF  whose  invencion  ye  lovers  may  be  glad, 

For  they  bryng  in  the  kalendes  of  Maye  ; 

And  ye  with  countenaunce  demure,  meke,  and  sad, 

Owe  for  to  worship  the  lustie  floures  alwaie, 

And  in  especiall  one  is  called  see  of  the  daie — 

The  Daisee,  a  floure  white  and  rede, 

And  in  French  called  la  bele  Margarete. 

0  commendable  floure  and  most  in  mind, 

A  floure  so  gracious  of  excellence, 

0  amiable  Margarete — exalted  of  nature  kind, 

Unto  whom  I  must  resort  with  all  my  diligence  ; 

With  hart,  wil  and  thought,  with  most  lowly  obedience, 

Ey  to  be  your  servant,  and  ye  my  regent, 

For  lyfe  ne  death  never  to  repent. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  85 

Though  vnto  me  dredful  were  the  chaunce, 
No  manner  of  gentilness  oweth  me  to  blame  : 
For  I  had  lever  suffer  of  death  the  penaunce, , 
Than  she  should  for  me  have  dishonor  or  shame, 
Or  in  any  wise  lose  a  drop  of  her  good  name ; 
So  wisely  God  for  His  endlesse  mercie, 
Graunt  every  true  love,  to  have  ioy  of  his  ladie. 

CHAUCER. 

Bright  flower,  whose  home  is  everywhere  ! 

A  pilgrim  bold  in  nature's  care, 

And  oft  the  long  year  through,  the  heir 

Of  joy  or  sorrow  ; 
Methinks  that  there  abides  in  thee 
Some  concord  with  humanity, 
Given  to  no  other  flower  I  see 

The  forest  through ! 

WORDSWORTH. 


Dancing. 

To  dream  of  dancing,  or  of  being  present  at  a  dance, 
presages  a  new  friend.  To  the  sicJc  it  is  an  omen  of  re- 
covery. 

BUT  this  last  night  while  sleeping  as  I  lay, 
Methought  my  chamber  in  a  new  array, 
Was  all  bepaint  with  many  diverss  hue 
Of  all  the  nobill  storys,  old  and  new, 
Since  our  first  father  formed  was  of  clay. 
8 


86  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Methought  the  list  all  bright  with  lampes  light, 
And  therein  entered  many  a  lusty  wight; 

Sum  young,  sum  old,  in  sundry  wise  arrayed ; 

Sum  sang,  sum  danced,  on  instruments  sum  played, 
Sum  made  disports  with  heartes  glad  and  light. 

Then  came  the  ladies,  dancing  in  a  trace, 
And  Nobleness  before  them  came  a  space, 
Saying  with  cheer,  beaming  and  womanly, 
"  I  see  one  here  in  bed  oppressed  lie : 
My  sisters,  go,  and  help  to  get  him  grace  !" 

THE  DREAME  OF  DUNBAR.  Ob.  1520. 

And  do  you  never  dream,  love, 

Of  that  enchanted  well, 
Where  under  the  moonbeam,  love, 

The  Fairies  wove  their  spell  ? 
How  oft  we  saw  them  greeting,  love, 

Beneath  the  blasted  tree, 
And  heard  their  pale  feet  beating,  love, 

To  their  own  minstrelsy  ? 

PRAED. 


Danger — Peril . 


To  dream  of  dangers  and  peril,  forebodes  many  adven- 
tures, with  a  fortunate  conclusion. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK'S  DREAM  LEXICON. 

THE  hall  was  cleared — the  stranger's  bed 
Was  there  of  mountain  heather  spread, 
Where  oft  a  hundred  guests  had  lain, 
And  dreamed  their  forest  sports  again. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  87 

But  vainly  did  the  heath-flower  shed 

Its  woodland  fragrance  round  his  head  ; 

Not  Ellen's  spell  had  lulled  to  rest 

The  fever  of  his  troubled  breast. 

In  broken  dreams  the  image  rose 

Of  varied  perils,  pains  and  woes : 

His  steed  now  flounders  in  the  brake, 

Now  sinks  his  barge  upon  the  lake ; 

Now  leader  of  a  broken  host, 

His  standard  falls — his  honour's  lost ! 

Then, — from  my  couch  may  heavenly  might 

Chase  that  worst  phantom  of  the  night ! — 

Again  returned  the  scenes  of  youth, 

Of  confident,  undoubting  truth  ; 

Again  his  soul  he  interchanged 

With  friends  whose  hearts  were  long  estranged. 

They  come,  in  dim  procession  led, 

The  cold,  the  faithless,  and  the  dead; 

As  warm  each  hand,  each  brow  as  gay, 

As  if  they  parted  yesterday. 

And  doubt  distracts  him  at  the  view ; 

0  were  his  senses  false  or  true  ? 

Dreamed  he  of  death  or  broken  vow, 

Or  is  it  all  a  vision  rDn  ? 

SCOTT. 


Darknefs. 

To  dream  that  you  are  in  utter  darkness,  says  a  German 
Dream  Book,  presages  despair  and  desolation.  The  agony 
of  the  night-mare  is  generally  heralded  by  an  appearance 
of  sombreness  or  darkness  over  the  scene.  I  do  not  remem- 
ber to  have  seen  this  curious  fact  stated  by  any  writer. 

I  HAD  a.  dream,  which  was  not  all  a  dream. 

The  bright  sun  was  extinguished,  and  the  stars 

Did  wander  darkling  in  the  eternal  space, 

Rayless  and  pathless  ;  and  the  icy  earth 

Swung  blind  and  blackening  in  the  moonless  air. 

Morn  came  and  went,  and  came  and  brought  no  day ; 

And  men  forgot  their  passions,  in  the  dread 

Of  this  their  desolation  ;  and  all  hearts 

Were  chilled  into  a  selfish  prayer  for  light ; 

And  they  did  live  by  watch-fires ;  and  the  thrones, 

And  palaces  of  crowned  kings — the  huts, 

The  habitations  of  all  things  which  dwell, 

Were  burnt  for  beacons.     Cities  were  consumed, 

And  men  were  gathered  round  their  blazing  homes, 

To  look  once  more  into  each  other's  face.     *     * 

The  rivers,  lakes,  and  ocean  all  stood  still, 

And  nothing  stirred  within  their  silent  depths ; 

Ships,  sailorless,  lay  rotting  on  the  sea, 

And  their  masts  fell  down  piecemeal ;  as  they  dropped 

They  slept  on  the  abyss  without  a  surge : 

The  waves  were  dead,  the  tides  were  in  their  grave; 

The  moon,  their  mistress,  had  expired  before ; 

The  winds  were  withered  in  the  stagnant  air, 

And  the  clouds  perished  ;  Darkness  had  no  need 

Of  aid  from  them — she  was  the  universe. 

BYRON. 

(88) 


Death. 

To  dream  of  death  and  burial  presages  to  the  servant  or 
slave,  liberty  and  confidence  from  his  master.  For  Death 
hath  no  lord,  and  he  brings  rest  and  peace.  And  to  the 
single  it  betokens  a  wedding,  for  Death  and  Marriage  are 
the  limits  of  all  earthly  desire.  And  to  the  strong  man  it 
presages  victory,  for  Death  conquers  all;  while  to  the  scho- 
lar it  is  a  favourable  sign,  since  books  are  the  monuments 
and  records  of  the  long-departed. 

ARTEMIDORUS,  c.  54, 1.  2. 

I  DREAMT  my  lady  came  and  found  me  dead, 
(Strange  dream,  that  gives  a  dead  man  leave  to  think  !) 

SHAKSPEARB. 

When  death  is  coming  near, 
When  thy  heart  shrinks  in  fear, 

And  thy  limBs  fail, 
Then  raise  thy  hands  and  pray 
To  Him  who  smooths  thy  way 

Through  the  dark  vale. 

Seest  thou  the  eastern  dawn  ? 
Hear'st  thou  in  the  red  morn 

The  angels'  song  ? 
0  lift  thy  drooping  head, 
Thou  who  in  gloom  and  dread 

Hast  lain  so  long  ! 
8  *  (89) 


90  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Death  comes  to  set  thee  free ; 
0  meet  him  cheerily 

As  thy  true  friend, 
And  all  thy  fears  shall  cease, 
And  in  eternal  peace 

Thy  penance  end. 

LA  MOTTE  FOUQTJE. 


Who  hath  not  been  a  poet  ?  who  hath  not 
With  Life's  new  quiver  full  of  winged  years, 
Shot  at  a  venture,  and  then,  hastening  on, 
Stood  doubtful  at  the  parting  of  the  ways  ? 
There  once  I  stood  in  dream,  and  as  I  paused, 
Looking  this  way  and  that,  came  forth  to  me 
The  figure  of  a  woman  veiled,  who  said  : 
"  My  name  is  DUTY  ;  turn  and  follow  me  !" 
Something  there  was  that  chilled  me,  in  her  voice  ; 
"I  felt  youth's  hand  grow  slack  and  cold  in  mine, 
As  if  to  be  withdrawn  ;  and  I  replied  : 
"  0  leave  the  hot  wild  heart  within  my  breast 
Duty  comes  soon  enough,  too  soon  comes  DEATH  !"J 
Then  glowed  to  me  a  maiden  from  the  left, 
With  bosom  half  disclosed,  and  naked  arms 
More  white  and  undulant  than  necks  of  swans. 
And  all  before  her  steps  an  influence  ran, 
Warm  as  the  whispering  south  that  opens  buds, 
And  swells  the  laggard  sails  of  northern  May. 
Suddenly  shrank  the  hand ;  suddenly  burst 
A  cry  that  split  the  torpor  of  my  brain, 
And  as  the  first  sharp  thrust  of  lightning  loosens 
From  the  heaped  cloud  its  rain,  loosened  my  sense : 
"  Save  me !"  it  thrilled,  "  0  hide  me ! — there  is  DEATH  ! 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  91 

Death,  the  divider,  the  unmerciful, 
That  digs  his  pitfalls  under  love  and  youth, 
And  covers  beauty  up  in  the  cold  ground  ; 
Horrible  DEATH  !  bringer  of  endless  dark  ! 
Let  me  not  see  him ! — hide  me  in  thy  breast !" 

JAMES  R.  LOWELL. 


Deer. 

To  dream  that  you  see  a  deer  running,  betokens  that 
any  plans  which  you  are  now  projecting  will  speedily  be 
accomplished.  To  kill  a  deer  presages  a  legacy.  A  deer 
in  your  house  is  a  sign  of  ivealth.  Deer-horns  indicate 
honour  and  dignity.  Deer,  fighting,  denote  that  the  circle 
of  your  acquaintance  will  be  greatly  extended  by  a  true 
friend.  Deer  sleeping  in  the  woods,  is  an  omen  of  inno- 
cence and  content. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

THERE  wandered  three  hunters  by  forest  and  crag, 
And  all  to  discover  the  snow-white  stag. 

They  laid  themselves  under  a  sycamore-tree, 
There  came  such  a  wonderful  dream  to  the  three. 

FIRST  HUNTER. 

"  I  dreamt  I  was  rapping  and  knocking  around, 
When  out  came  the  beautiful  stag  with  a  bound." 


92  POETRY  OF  BREAMS. 


SECOND  HUNTER. 

"  And  as  he  away  o'er  the  rivulet  sprang, 

I  aimed  with  my  rifle  and  blazed  at  him,  bang  !" 

THIRD  HUNTER. 

"  And  as  soon  as  I  saw  he  was  touched  on  the  breath, 
I  blew  on  the  bugle,  and  sounded  his  death !" 

And  while  'neath  the  sycamore  talking  they  lay, 
The  stag  darted  out,  and  went  running  away. 

And  before  the  three  huntsmen  could  kill  him  again, 
He  was  far  far  away,  over  valley  and  plain. 

Hurrah  !  slap  bang  !  tra  la  ! 

Translated  by  C.  G.  LELAND,  from  UHLAND. 


Delusion. 

To  dream  of  being  suddenly  and  unpleasantly  deluded, 
or  disappointed  in  our  dreams,  as  for  instance,  if  we 
awake  when  just  about  to  embrace  some  loved  object,  denotes 
a  long  life. 

Would  I  could  dream  of  thee  !     Thy  thought 

Is  all  day  long  before  my  face  ; 
But  envious  sleep  hath  ever  brought 
Some  shape  thine  image  to  displace. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  93 


Yes — once,  once  only  hath  the  night 

Wrought  thy  bright  semblance  forth  to  me — 

Oh !  rapturous  moment  of  delight  ! 

Would  I  had  died,  sweet  dream,  in  thee. 

Thou,  only  named  in  thought — from  this 

Ecstatic  vision  slumber  bore, 
The  morn,  impatient  of  my  bliss, 

Enclasped  my  soul  for  evermore. 

Would  I  could  dream  of  thee — nor  pine 
With  these  unanswered  longings  rent — 

Ah  me  !  poor  heart !  that  love  like  thine 
Should  seek  with  dreams  to  be  content ! 

With  dreams  !  yet  what  is  life,  alas  ! 

But  of  the  shadows  that  we  see  ? 
Visions  of  love  and  hope,  that  pass, 

To  mock  us,  like  my  dream  of  thee  ! 

MARY  E.  HEWITT. 


Departed. 


To  dream  of  the  departed  or  dead,  is  a  sign  indicative 
of  neither  good  nor  bad,  if  they  express  no  emotion.  If 
they  appear  angry  it  is  an  evil  omen,  but  if  pleasant  and 
affable,  you  may  anticipate  great  good  fortune. 

ARTEMIDOBUS. 
THE  departed  !  the  departed ! 

They  visit  us  in  dreams ; 
And  they  glide  above  our  memories, 
Like  shadows  over  streams  : 


94  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

But  where  the  cheerful  lights  of  home 

In  constant  lustre  burn, 
The  departed  ! — the  departed 

Can  never  more  return. 

I  sometimes  dream  their  pleasant  smiles 

Still  on  me  sweetly  fall : 
Their  tones  of  love  I  faintly  hear  0 

My  name  in  sadness  call. 
I  know  that  they  are  happy, 

With  their  angel  plumage  on, 
But  my  heart  is  very  desolate 

To  think  that  they  are  gone  ! 

PARK  BENJAMIN. 

Ye  guardian  spirits,  to  whom  man  is  dear, 

From  these  foul  demons  shield  the  midnight  gloom ; 
Angels  of  fancy  and  of  love  be  near, 

And  o'er  the  blank  of  sleep  diffuse  a  bloom ; 
Evoke  the  sacred  shades  of  Greece  and  Rome, 

And  let  them  virtue,  with  a  look  impart. 
But  chief,  awhile,  0  !  lend  us  from  the  tomb 

Those  long-lost  friends  for  whom  in  love  we  smart, 
And  fill  with  pious  awe  and  joy-mixt  woe  the  heart. 

THOMSON'S  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE,  Canto  I. 

I  stood  in  shadowy  dreams 

And  gazed  upon  her  form  ; 
While  o'er  the  face  so  dearly  loved, 

Strange  life  began  to  warm. 

Around  the  sweet  and  child-like  lips 
There  played  a  heavenly  smile, 

Though  in  her  dark  and  lustrous  eyes 
A  tear-drop  shone  the  while. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  95 

And  my  own  eyes  were  flowing  too 

In  silent  agony : 
For  oh, — I  cannot  deem  it  true 

That  thou  art  lost  to  me. 

HEINE. 


Digging. 

To  dream  of  digging  is  a  sign  of  wealth,  also  of  finding 
something  curious.  Digging  a  grave  presages  a  happy 
marriage  to  the  single,  and  a  happy  family  to  the  wedded. 

Vittoria.     To  pass  away  the  time,  I'll  tell  your  grace 
A  dream  I  had  last  night. 

Brachiano.  Most  wishedly. 

Vittoria.     A  foolish  idle  dream  : 
Me  thought  I  walked,  about  the  mid  of  night, 
Into  a  church-yard,  where  a  goodly  yew-tree 
Spread  her  large  root  in  ground.     Under  that  yew, 
As  I  sat  sadly,  leaning  on  a  grave 
Chequered  with  cross-sticks,  there  came  stealing  in 
Your  Duchess  and  my  husband ;  one  of  them 
A  pick-axe  bore,  th'  other  a  rusty  spade, 
And  in  rough  terms  they  'gan  to  challenge  me 
About  this  yew. 

Brachiano.         That  tree  ? 

Vittoria.  This  harmless  yew.' 

They  told  me  my  intent  was  to  root  up 
That  well-known  yew,  and  plant  i'  the  stead  of  it, 
A  withered  black-thorn ;  and  for  that  they  vowed 


96  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

To  bury  me  alive.     My  husband  straight 

With  pick-axe  'gan  to  dig ;  and  your  fell  Duchess 

With  shovel, — like  a  fury,  voided  out 

The  earth,  and  scattered  bones : — Lord,  how,  methought, 

I  trembled,  and  yet  for  all  this  terror 

I  could  not  pray. 

Flamineo  (aside).     No  :  the  devil  was  in  your  dream. 

Vittoria.     When  to  my  rescue  there  arose,  methought, 
A  whirlwind,  which  let  fall  a  massy  arm 
From  that  strong  plant  ;— 
And  both  were  struck  dead  by  that  sacred  yew, 
In  that  base  shallow  grave  which  was  their  due. 

Flamineo  (aside).     Excellent  devil !     She  hath  taught 

him  in  a  dream, 
To  make  away  his  Duchess,  and  her  husband. 

WEBSTER. 


Dog  Barking. 


To  dream  of  dogs  larking,  denotes  that  you  are  in  danger 
from  enemies. 

NlCEPHORUS. 

I  SLEPT  and  dreamed — no  pleasant  dream 

Was  that  which  o'er  my  spirit  swept, 
For  dark  and  drear  the  land  did  seem, 

Wherein  I  wandered  as  I  slept : 
And  at  my  heels  an  angry  hound 

Seemed,  ever  vexing,  still  to  prowl ; 
Yet  vanished  when  I  looked  around, 

With  sudden  bark  or  wailing  howl. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  97 

I  started  up  with  knitted  brow, 

I  saw  the  moonlight  through  the  pane, 
I  slept  once  more — I  know  not  how — 

But  heard  the  dream-dog  bark  again  : 
And  wild  and  fierce  his  cry  rang  out, 

A  cry  that  would  not  be  subdued ; 
Once  more  I  Woke  with  angry  shout, 

And  gained  my  feet  in  wrathful  mood. 

Lo  !  by  my  bedside  stood  my  foe, 

With  dagger  drawn  and  gleaming  eye  : 
"  'Tis  well !"  I  cried,  with  sudden  blow, 

"  For  of  us  twain,  the  one  must  die  !" 
Short  work  was  there — -no  time  for  prayer, 

My  blow  had  ended  all  our  strife  : 
But  as  I  saw  his  poignard  bare, 

I  thanked  the  dream-dog  for  my  life. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Doves. 

To  dream  of  doves,  presages  pleasant  and  agreeable  rela- 
tions with  the  gentler  sex;  for  they  are  birds  sacred  to 
Venus , — ring-doves  referring  indeed  to  those  of  evil  life, 
but  the  house-pigeon  to  honest  maidens  and  matrons.  But 
they  all  invariably  betoken  friendship,  alliance,  and  concilia- 
tion. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

— BUT  a  form  unseen  was  near  him, 

Ever  on  his  perilled  way, 
O'er  the  roaring  pass  to  cheer  him, 

On  the  giddy  steep  to  stay. 
9 


98  POETEY  OF  DREAMS. 

Oft  in  sleep  it  rose  before  him, 

Visibly  a  snow-white  dove, 
And  through  swooping  falcons  bore  him 

To  a  world  of  peace  and  love. 

W.  P.  PALMER. 

"  What  is  that,  mother  ?"     The  Dove,  my 'son. — 

And  that  low  sweet  voice,  like  a  widow's  moan, 

Is  flowing  out  from  her  gentle  breast, 

Constant  and  pure  by  that  lonely  nest, 

As  the  wave  is  poured  from  some  crystal  urn, 

For  her  distant  dear  one's  quick  return. 

Ever,  my  son,  be  thou  like  the  dove, — 

In  friendship  as  faithful,  as  constant  in  love ! 

a.  w.  DOAKE. 


Dragon. 

He,   who   dreams   of  slaying   a  dragon  shall  gain  a 
kingdom. 

ACHMET  SEIRIM. 

OH  !  there  was  a  dragon — a  dragon  of  might — 

Once  lived  in  yon  mountain  gray  ; 
Like  a  monster  of  ton,  he  went  raking  all  night, 

And  dozed  nearly  all  the  day. 
And  there  was  a  king  with  a  gallant  ring 

Of  nobles  stout  and  good, 
And  he  had  a  daughter  by  all  confessed 

The  mirror  of  maidenhood. 
So  the  dragon  came  down  one  summer  night, 

And  ceremony  scorning, 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  99 

He  twisted  his  tail  round  the  virgin  bright, 
And  was  off  at  a  moment's  warning. 

Then  up  and  arose  Sir  Siegfried  bold, 

To  the  dragon's  rock  he  sped : 
"  What  ho  !  thou  traitor  linden-worm, 

I  am  come  for  thy  craven  head !" 
One  sweep  of  his  good  sword  Balmung, 

And  he  cut  the  beast  in  twain, 
As  lightly  as  a  skilful  leech 

Would  breathe  a  lady's  vein. 

And  the  monarch  hath  taken  Sir  Siegfried's  hand, 

And  called  him  his  son : 
A  kingdom  and  a  bride,  the  knight 

By  a  single  blow  hath  won  ! — 
0  !  had  the  doughty  champion 

But  a  little  prudence  known, 
With  the  kingdom  he  had  been  content, 

And  left  the  bride  alone  ! 

LAYS  OP  THE  RHINE,  by  J.  R.  PLANCHB. 


Drinking. 

To  dream  of  drinking  cold  fresh  water,  presages  great 
wealth  or  a  triumph.  Warm  water,  sickness  or  perse- 
cution. Wine  betokens  patronage  from  some  great  person, 
and  speedy  prosperity.  « 

AND  we  will  dream 
Of  icy  drinks  that  float  the  fragrant  rind 

Of  the  golden  lemon. 

REV.  G.  HUNTINGTON. 


100  POETRY  OP  DKEAMS. 

Methought  I  saw,  as  I  did  dream  in  bed, 

A  crawling  vine,  about  Anacreon's  head ; 

Flushed  was  his  face,  his  hair  with  oil  did  shine, 

And  as  he  spake,  his  mouth  ran  o'er  with  wine ; 

Tippled  he  was,  and  tippling  lisped  withal ; 

And  lisping,  reeled,  and  reeling,  like  to  fall. 

A  young  enchantress  close  by  him  did  stand, 

Tapping  his  bosom  with  a  myrtle  wand : 

She  smiled — he  kissed  ;  and  kissing,  thought  to  woo, 

For  which,  methought,  in  pretty  anger  she 

Snatched  off  his  crown,  and  gave  the  wreath  to  me. 

HERRICK. 


Drowning. 


To  dream  of  drowning  alone,  presages  the  acquisition  of 
money  or  property;  but  if  drowned  by  another  person,  it  is 

ominous  of  loss  or  ruin. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

0 !  I  HAVE  passed  a  miserable  night, 

So  full  of  fearful  dreams,  of  ugly  sights, 

That,  as  I  am  a  Christian  faithful  man, 

I  would  not  spend  another  such  a  night.      *     *     * 

Methought  that  I  had  broken  from  the  Tower, 
And  was  embarked  to  cross  to  Burgundy ; 
And  in  my  company  my  brother  Gloster  : 
Whom  from  my  cabin  tempted  me  to  walk 
Upon  the  hatches ;  thence  we  looked  toward  England, 
And  cited  up  a  thousand  heavy  times, 


POETRY  OF 


101 


During  the  wars  of  York  and  Lancaster, 

That  had  befallen  us.     As  we  paced  along 

Upon  the  giddy  footing  of  the  hatches, 

Methought,  that  Gloster  stumbled ;  and,  in  falling, 

Struck  me,  that  thought  to  stay  him,  overboard, 

Into  the  tumbling  billows  of  the  main. 

0  Lord  !  methought  what  pain  it  was  to  drown  ! 

What  dreadful  noise  of  water  in  mine  ears  ! 

What  sights  of  ugly  death  within  mine  eyes ! 

Methought,  I  saw  a  thousand  fearful  wrecks ; 

A  thousand  men  that  fishes  gnawed  upon ; 

Wedges  of  gold,  great  anchors,  heaps  of  pearl, 

Inestimable  stones,  unvalued  jewels, 

All  scattered  in  the  bottom  of  the  sea. 

Some  lay  in  dead  men's  skulls  ;  and  in  those  holes 

Where  eyes  did  once  inhabit,  there  were  crept 

(As  'twere  in  scorn  of  eyes)  reflecting  gems, 

That  wooed  the  slimy  bottom  of  the  deep, 

And  mocked  the  dead  bones  that  lay  scattered  by. 

KING  RICHARD  III. 


Eagle. 


To  see  an  eagle  perched  on  a  high  crag  or  tree,  or  other 
lofty  place,  is  a  good  omen  for  the  brave  and  bold,  but  evil 
for  cowards  ;  and  it  is  also  an  encouraging  sign  to  dream 
that  you  behold  one  calmly  soaring  above.  But  to  be  borne 
away  upon  an  eagle  presages  death  to  kings  and  magnates. 

ARTEMIDORUS,  lib.  2,  cap.  20. 

— THOU  art  perched  aloft  on  the  beetling  crag, 

And  the  waves  are  white  below, 
And  on,  with  a  haste  that  cannot  lag, 

They  rush  in  an  endless  flow. 

9* 


102  JPOfitKSf'  OF  DREAMS. 


Again  thou  hast  plumed  thy  wing  for  flight 

To  lands  beyond  the  sea, 
And  away,  like  a  spirit  wreathed  in  light, 

Thou  hurriest,  wild  and  free. 

Lord  of  the  boundless  realm  of  air, 

In  thy  imperial  name, 
The  hearts  of  the  bold  and  ardent  dare 

The  dangerous  path  of  fame. 
Beneath  the  shade  of  thy  golden  wings 

The  Roman  legions  bore, 
From  the  river  of  Egypt's  cloudy  springs, 

Their  pride  to  the  polar  shore. 

PERCIVAL. 


Eating. 


To  dream  of  eating  with  enemies,  presages  a  reconcilia- 
tion with  them. 

ASTKAMPSYCHIUS* 

WHEN  at  the  board,  let  hate  forget 

The  bitterest  words  of  yesterday ; 
For  where  the  bread  and  salt  have  met, 

All  thoughts  of  death  should  pass  away. 

I  swore  that  Wassili  should  die, 

Wherever  Wassili  I  found ; 
If  every  friend  and  foe  stood  nigh, 
If.  all  the  deaths  were  laughing  round, 
— But  one  short  dream  has  blown  my  rage 
To  heaven  above,  or  hell  below ; 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  103 


Far  as  the  wild  wolf  hunts  the  deer, 
Far  as  the  Wingas  drives  the  snow. 

I  dreamed  last  night  we  met  at  board, 

And  eat  together,  frank  and  free  ; 
I  gave  him  bread — I  gave  him  salt, 
And  he  poured  votka  out  for  me. 
The  man  who  sees  the  sun  in  sleep 
Should  never  wake  to  seek  for  showers  : 
And  if  I  love  in  dreams,  I'll  keep 
No  hatred  for  my  waking  hours. 

For  at  the  board,  let  hate  forget 

The  bitterest  words  of  yesterday  ; 
And  where  the  bread  and  salt  have  met, 

All  thoughts  of  death  should  pass  away. 

Imitated  from  the  Russian  by  CHARLES  G.  LELAND. 


Eggs- 

To  dream  of  eggs,  is  favourable  to  physicians  and  artists. 
To  others  it  portends   the  acquisition  of  money — dearly 

bought  by  cares,  strife,  and  anxiety. 

ABTEMIDORUS. 

Holding  or  cooking  eggs  presages  sorrow,  but  to  eat  them 
when  cooked  is  a  sign  of  wealth. 


NlCEPHORUS. 


Quam  pulchra  sunt  ova 
Cum  alba  et  nova 
In  stabulo  scite  leguntur ; 


104  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Et  a  Margery  bella 
Quce  f estiva  puella  ! 
Pinguis  lardi  cum  frustris  coquuntur. 

Ut  belles  in  prato 

Aprico  et  lato 
Sub  sole  tarn  Icete  renident, 

Ova  tosta  in  mensa 

Mappa  bene  extensa 
Nitidissima  lance  consident. 

Oh !  tis  eggs  are  a  treat, 

When  so  white  and  so  sweet, 
From  under  the  manger  they're  taken, 

And  by  fair  Margery; 

Och  !  'tis  she's  full  of  glee, 
They  are  fried  with  fat  rashers  of  bacon. 

Just  like  daisies  all  spread 

O'er  a  broad  sunny  mead, 
In  the  sunbeams  so  beautifully  shining, 

Are  fried  eggs  fair  displayed 

On  a  dish,  when  we've  laid 
The  cloth,  and  are  thinking  of  dining. 

FATHER  PROUT'S  RELICS. 


Emerald. 

He  who  dreams  of  green  gems  (prasini  coloris),  will  be- 
come renowned,  and  meet  with  truth  and  fidelity. 

ACHMET  SEIRIM,  c.  247. 

IT  is  a  gem  which  hath  the  power  to  show 
If  plighted  lovers  keep  their  faith  or  no  : 
If  faithful,  it  is  like  the  leaves  of  spring, 
If  faithless,  like  those  leaves  when  withering. 
— Take  back  again  your  emerald  gem, 

There  is  no  colour  in  the  stone  ; 
It  might  have  graced  a  diadem, 

But  now  its  hue  and  light  are  gone. 

Take  back  your  gift  and  give  me  mine — 
The  kiss  that  sealed  our  last  love  vow  ; 
Ah  !  other  lips  have  been  on  thine — 
My  kiss  is  lost  and  sullied  now ! 

The  gem  is  pale,  the  kiss  forgot, 
And  more  than  either  you  are  changed  ; 

But  my  true  love  has  altered  not, 

My  heart  is  broken — not  estranged  ! 

LANDON. 

For  it  is  said,  and  hath  be  said  full  yore, 
The  emeraud  greene,  of  parfite  chastitie, 

Stole  ones  away  may  not  recouered  be. 

CHAUCER. 

The  verdant,  gay  green  smaragdus, 

Most  sovereign  over  passion. 

DRAYTON. 
(105) 


Entertainments. 

To  dream  that  you  are  called  to  feasts  or  entertainments •, 
presages  unexpected  good  fortune  and  success  in  your 
undertakings. 

DREAM  LEXICON  OF  HENRY  VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

I  DREAMED  that  I  sat  on  a  palace  step, 

Wrapped  up  in  a  mantle  thin  ; 
And  I  gazed  with  a  smile  on  the  world  without, 

With  a  growl  at  my  world  within  : 
Till  I  heard  the  merry  voices  ring 

Of  a  lordly  companie  ; 
And  straight  to  myself  I  began  to  sing, 

It  is  there  that  I  ought  to  be. 

And  long  I  gazed  through  a  lattice  raised, 

Which  smiled  from  the  old  gray  wall, 
And  my  glance  went  in  with  the  evening  breeze, 

And  ran  o'er  the  revellers  all ; 
And  I  said,  if  they  saw  me,  'twould  cool  their  mirth 

Far  more  than  this  wild  breeze  free  ; 
But  a  merrier  party  was  ne'er  on  earth, 

And  among  them  I  fain  would  be  ! 

And  oh,  but  they  all  were  beautiful, 

Fairer  than  fairy-dreams  ; 
And  their  words  were  sweet  as  the  wind-harp's  tone, 

When  it  rings  o'er  summer  streams ; 
And  they  pledged  each  other  with  noble  mien ; 

"  True  heart  with  my  life  to  thee  !" 

* 


;  POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  107 

"  Alack  !"  quoth  I — "  but  my  soul's  a-dry, 
And  among  them  I  fain  would  be  !" 

And  the  gentlemen  were  noble  souls, 

Good  fellows,  both  sain  and  sound  ; 
I  had  not  deemed  that  a  band  like  this 

Could  over  the  world  be  found. 
And  they  spoke  of  brave  and  beautiful  things, 

Of  all  that  was  dear  to  me  ; 
And  I  thought,  "  Perhaps  they  would  like  me  well, 

If  among  them  I  once  might  be  !" 

And  lovely  were  the  ladies  too 

Who  sat  in  the  light  bright  hall, 
And  one  there  was — oh  dream  of  life  ! 

The  loveliest  mid  them  all ; 
She  sat  alone  by  an  empty  chair : 

The  queen  of  the  feast  was  she ; 
And  I  said  to  myself,  "  By  that  lady  fair 

I  certainly  ought  to  be. 

And  aloud  she  spoke,  "  We  have  waited  long 

For  one  who  in  fear  and  doubt 
Looks  wistfully  into  our  Hall  of  Song, 

As  he  sits  on  the  steps  without. 
I  have  sung  to  him  long  in  silent  dreams, 

I  have  led  him  o'er  land  and  sea ; 
Go  welcome  him  in  as  his  rank  beseems, 

And  give  him  a  place  by  me  !' 

They  opened  the  door — yet  I  shrunk  with  shame 

As  I  sat  in  my  mantle  thin, 
But  they  haled  me  out  with  a  joyous  shout, 

And  merrily  led  me  in. 


108  POETRY  OF  DREAMS.    . 

They  gave  me  a  place  by  my  bright-haired  love, 

As  she  wept  with  joy  and  glee ; 
And  I  said  to  myself,  "  By  the  stars  above  ! 

I  am  just  where  I  ought  to  be  !" 

Farewell  to  thee — life  of  joy  and  grief ! 

Farewell  to  thy  care  and  pain  ! 
Farewell  thou  vulgar  and  selfish  world  ! 

For  I  never  will  know  thee  again. 
I  live  in  a  land  where  good  fellows  abound, 

In  Thelemd — by  the  sea  ; 
They  may  long  for  a  happier  life  that  will, 

I  am  just  where  I  ought  to  be  ! 

CHARLES  G.  LELAND. 


Evil  Spirits. 


To  see  evil  and  unnatural  forms  in  dreams  betokens 
treacherous  offers  and  suggestions.  To  strive  and  fight 
them  is  a  sign  of  imminent  danger,  but  to  overcome  them 
implies  a  signal  triumph.  To  be  called  by  them  forebodes 
ill-fortune,  but  generally,  sickness. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

THE  forms  which  peopled  this  terrific  trance 
I  well  remember — like  a  quire  of  devils, 
Around  me  they  involved  a  giddy  dance ; 
Legions  seemed  gathering  from  the  misty  levels 
Of  ocean,  to  supply  those  ceaseless  revels, 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  109 

Foul,  ceaseless  shadows : — thought  could  not  divide 
The  actual  world  from  these  entangling  evils, 
Which  so  bemocked  themselves,  that  I  descried 
All  shapes  like  mine  own  self,  hideously  multiplied. 

SHELLEY, 

Mine  eyes  were  opened  then, 

And  the  veil  which  conceals 
The  Invisible  World  was  withdrawn. 


And  through  those  open  gates 
The  Fiends  were  swarming  forth ; 
Hastily,  joyfully, 
As  to  a  jubilee 
The  spirits  accursed  were  trooping  up ; 

They  filled  the  streets, 

And  they  bore  with  them  curses  and  plagues ; 
And  they  scattered  lies  abroad, 
Horrors,  obscenities, 
Blasphemies,  treasons, 
And  the  seeds  of  strife  and  death. 

SOUTHEY. 


Faces. 

To  dream  of  beautiful  faces ,  presages  "honour  and  a  long 
healthy  life.  Ugly  faces,  especially  if  grimacing,  denote 
the  reverse. 

REICHHALTIGES  TRAUM  BUCH, 

YET  have  I  still  dreamed  on ! 
Day  and  night,  I  have  seen  glorious  eyes 
10 


110  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


Whose  lightning  pierced  into  my  very  soul, 

Or  in  the  calmer  moods  of  sleeping  thought 

Have  bowed  beneath  the  gentler  glance  of  love, 

Until  my  heart  was  drunken  as  with  wine 

I  have  seen  lips  whose  beauty  could  compare, 

So  strange  their  charm,  with  nothing  but  themselves ; 

And  cheeks  which  even  Sleep  himself  would  blush 

To  liken  to  the  leaves  of  the  June  rose : 

I  have  seen  brows  whose  whiteness  would  compare 

With  virgin  marble,  but  there  was  a  warmth, 

The  very  stone  would  envy  had  it  heart ; 

And  I  have  dreamed  of  clustering  hair  that  stole 

Light  from  the  sun,  to  fling  amid  its  silk, 

Until  the  sun  grew  dim. 

0.  E.  B.  M. 

When  the  purple  tinge  of  day 

Fades  amid  the  golden  even, 
And  like  light  upon  our  way, 

Brighter,  better  thoughts  are  given  ;     *     * 
Comes  a  vision  unto  me, 

Eyes  of  violet  lustre  deep  ; 
Hair  that  floats  so  goldenly, 

'Mid  whose  waves  the  sunbeams  sleep ; 
Mouth  that  wears  the  same  sweet  smile 

Like  the  gentle  starlight  beaming, 
And  my  thoughts  are  sad  the  while, 

Monuments  of  past  hours  seeming. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Farewell. 

To  dream  of  bidding  farewell,  or  of  departing  without 
returning,  betokens  death. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

FARE  th.ee  well,  fare  thee  well !  ^ 

Most  beautiful  of  earthly  things, 

I  will  not  bid  thy  spirit  stay, 
Nor  link  to  earth  those  glittering  wings 

That  burst  like  light  away ! 
I  know  that  thou  wert  gone  to  dwell 
In  the  sunny  home  of  the  fresh  day-beam. 

Before  decay's  unpitying  tread 
Hath  crept  upon  the  dearest  dream 

That  ever  came  and  fled. 

Fare  thee  well,  fare  thee  well ! 
And  go  thy  way,  all  pure  and  fair. 

Into  the  starry  firmament, 
And  wander  tliere  with  the  spirits  of  air, 

As  bright  and  innocent. 

Fare  thee  well,  fare  thee  well ! 
See  !  I  have  been  to  the  sweetest  bowers, 

And  culled  from  garden  and  from  heath 
The  tenderest  of  all  tender  flowers, 

And  blended  in  my  wreath 

The  violet  and  the  blue-harebell, 
And  one  fair  rose  in  its  earlier  bloom. 

Alas  !  I  meant  it  for  thy  hair, 
And  now  I  fling  it  on  thy  tomb, 

(111) 


112  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

To  weep  and  wither  there  ! 

Fare  thee  well,  fare  thee  well ! 
Sleep,  sleep,  my  love,  in  fragrant  shade, 
Droop,  droop  to-night,  thou  blushing  token  ! 

A  fairer  flower  shall  never  fade, 

Nor  a  fonder  heart  be  broken  ! 

PRAED. 

Three  riders  went  out  at  a  castle  gate, 
•  Farewell ! 

Their  loves  at  the  window  were  weeping  thereat, 

Farewell ! 

And  since,  alas  !  we  must  parted  be, 
Then  give  me  thy  ring  to  remember  thee ; 
Farewell !  farewell !  farewell ! 
Such  parting  'twere  pity  to  tell ! 

There  is  one  who  parts  us, — 'tis  DEATH,  the  churl, 

Farewell ! 
He  taketh  so  many  a  rosy  girl, 

Farewell ! 

He  parteth  so  many  a  husband  and  wife 
That  made  for  each  other  such  pleasure  in  life, 
Farewell !  farewell !  farewell ! 
Such  parting  'twere  pity  to  tell ! 

He  taketh  the  child  in  the  cradle  laid, 

Farewell ! 
Oh  !  when  shall  I  meet  my  nut-brown  maid  ? 

Farewell ! 

Ah,  not  on  the  morrow  !  oh,  were  it  to-day ! 
For  both  of  us  then  would  be  happy  and  gay ! 
Farewell !  farewell !  farewell ! 
Such  parting  'twere  pity  to  tell ! 

German  Ballad,  translated  by  CARL  BENSON. 


Fire. 

To  dream  of  an  ordinary  fire,  burning  briskly  upon  the 
hearth,  is  a  favourable  sign  for  those  who  desire  to  live 
happily  at  home,  but  a  large  fire  or  conflagration  presages 
dire  calamities.  An  extinct  fire  portends  death  or  dis- 
appointment. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

BENIGNANT  is  the  might  of  flame, 

When  man  keeps  watch  and  makes  it  tame  ; 

But  fearful  is  this  Heaven's  force 

When  all  unfettered  in  its  course 

It  steps  forth  on  its  own  fierce  way  *  *  *  * 

Blood-red  now 

Heaven  is  flushing ; 

That  is  not  the  daylight's  glow  ! 

What  a  rushing 

Streets  all  up ! 

Smoke  rolls  up ! 

Flickering  mounts  the  fire-column, 

Through  the  long  streets  onward  growing, 

Going  swift  as  winds  are  going ; 

As  from  out  a  furnace  rushing, 

Glows  the  air,  and  beams  are  crashing, 

Pillars  tumble,  children  crying, 

Windows  breaking,  mothers  flying  ; 
10  *  (113) 


114  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Mid  the  ruin 
Beasts  are  lowing ; 
All  is  fleeing,  saving,  running, 
Light  as  day  the  night's  becoming ; 
Through  the  chain  of  hands,  all  vying, 
Swiftly  flying, 

Goes  the  bucket ;  bow-like  bending, 
Spouts  the  water  high  ascending. 
Howling  comes  the  blast,  befriending 
The  flame,  it  roaring  seeks  and  fans. 
Crackling  midst  the  well-dried  grains, 
Seizing  on  the  granary  chambers, 
And  the  dry  wood  of  the  timbers, 
And,  as  if  it  would,  in  blowing, 
Tear  the  huge  bulk  of  the  world 
With  it,  in  its  flight  uphurled, 
Mounts  the  flame  to  heaven,  growing 
Giant  tall ! 
Hopeless  all, 

Man  to  God  at  last  hath  yielded, 
Idly  sees  what  he  hath  builded, 
Wondering,  to  destruction  going. 
SCHILLER'S  SONG  or  THE  BELL,  translated  ly  W.  H.  FURNESS. 


Firebrand — Torch. 

To  dream  of  seeing  a  lighted  torch  in  the  hands  of  an- 
other person,  forebodes  evil.  A  torch  or  firebrand  burning 
by  itself,  signifies  a  reward;  if  extinguished,  it  indicates 
arrest  by  justice.  If  a  woman  dreams  of  lighting  a  torch 
with  ease,  she  will  be  fortunate  in  her  children  ;  if  with 
difficulty,  the  contrary.  For  young  people  to  dream  of 
carrying  torches,  presages  the  best  fortune  in  love,  success 
in  every  undertaking,  triumph  over  enemies,  and  honour 
and  regard. 

HENRY  VON  GERSTENBERGK'S  DREAM  LEXICON. 

BY  dream  I  saw  one  of  the  three 
Sisters  of  Fate  appear  to  me. 
Close  to  my  bed's  side  she  did  stand, 
Showing  me  there  a  firebrand  : 
She  told  me,  too,  as  that  did  spend, 
So  drew  my  life  unto  an  end. 
Three-quarters  were  consumed  of  it ; 
Only  remained  a  little  bit, 
Which  will  be  burnt  up  by  and  by ; 
Then  Julia,  weep,  for  I  must  die. 

HERRICK. 
(115) 


Fishing. 


A  fish,  according  to  the  symbolism  of  the  early  church, 
indicated  Christ,  but  among  the  Gf-othic  free-masons,  it  was 
a  type  of  voluptuousness  and  pleasure.  To  catch  many 
and  great  fishes  in  dreams,  says  ARTEMIDORUS,  is  a 
pleasant  and  lucrative  omen  to  all  save  those  who  exer- 
cise a  sedentary  calling. 

THE  waters  rose — the  waters  swelled, 

A  fisher  sat  thereby  ; 
And  quietly  his  angle  held, — 

Chilled  to  the  heart  was  he. 
The  water  in  dreamy  motion  kept 

As  he  sat  in  dreamy  mood ; 
A  wave  hove  up — a  damsel  stepped 

All  dripping  from  the  flood. 

She  sang  to  him — she  spake  to  him, 

"  Why  dost  thou  lure  away 
My  sweet  brood,  by  thy  human  art, 

To  the  deadly  light  of  day  ? 
Ah,  knewest  thou  how  light  of  heart 

The  little  fishes  live, 
Thou  would'st  come  down  all  as  thou  art, 

And  thy  true  life  receive. 

Loves  not  the  sun  with  all  his  beams, 

Loves  not  the  moon  by  night, 
To  batho  awhile  my  dew  and  rise 

All  trembling,  doubly  bright  ? 

(116) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  117 

And  tempt  thee  not  the  eternal  skies 

Here  spread  in  watery  blue  ? 
And  tempt  thee  not  thine  own  dark  eyes, 

Down,  through  the  eternal  dew?" 

The  water  rose — the  water  swelled, 

It  wetted  his  bare  feet ; 
A  something  rose  within  his  heart, 

He  seemed  his  love  to  meet. 
She  spoke  to  him,  she  sung  to  him, 

With  him  'twas  quickly  o'er : 
Half  drew  she  him,  half  sunk  he  in— 

And  ne'er  was  heard  of  more. 

GOETHE. 


Flowers. 

To  dream  of  flower s,  is  a  most  auspicious  omen — but 

only  if  they  be  in  season. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

Floivers  out  of  season  portend  death. 

ACHMET. 

I  DREAMED  that  as  I  wandered  by  the  way, 
Bare  winter  suddenly  was  changed  to  spring, 

And  gentle  odours  led  my  steps  astray, 
Mixed  with  a  sound  of  waters  murmuring 

Among  a  shelving  bank  of  turf,  which  .lay 
Under  a  copse,  and  hardly  dared  to  fling 

Its  green  arms  round  the  bosom  of  the  stream, 

But  kissed  it  and  then  fled,  as  thou  might'st  in  a  dream. 


118  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


There  grew  pied  wind-flowers  and  violets, 

Daisies,  those  pearled  Arcturi  of  the  earth, 
The  constellated  flower  that  never  sets ; 

Faint  ox-lips ;  tender  blue-bells,  at  whose  birth 
The  sod  scarce  heaved  ;  and  that  tall  flower  which  wets 
Its  mother's  face  with  heaven-collected  tears, 
When  the  low  wind,  its  playmate's  voice,  it  hears. 

Methought  that  of  these  visionary  flowers 

I  made  a  nosegay     *     *     then  elate  and  gay 
I  hastened  to  the  spot  whence  I  had  come, 
That  I  might  there  present  it ! — Oh  !  to  whom  ? 

SHELLEY. 

Flowers  !  WINTER  FLOWERS  ! — the  child  is  dead, 

The  flowers  cannot  speak  : 
Oh  softly  couch  his  little  head, 

Or  Mary's  heart  will  break  ! 
Amid  those  curls  of  flaxen  hair 

This  pale  pink  riband  twine, 
And  on  the  little  bosom  there 
.    Place  this  wan  lock  of  mine. 

ff>: 
How  like  a  form  in  cold  white  stone 

The  coffined  infant  lies  ! 
Look,  mother,  on  thy  little  one, 

And  tears  will  fill  thine  eyes ! 
She  cannot  weep,  more  faint  she  grows, 

More  deadly  pale  and  still : 
Flowers  !  oh,  a  flower  !  A  WINTER  ROSE  ! 

That  tiny  hand  to  fill. 

EBENEZER  ELLIOTT.    ' 


Flying. 


To  dream  of  flying,  presages  both  pleasure  and  peril. 
Volare  in  somnis,  signum  est  dignitatis.  To  fly  in  dreams, 
betokens  eminence. 

NlCEPHORUS. 

As  one  enamoured  is  upborne  in  dream 
O'er  lily-paved  lakes  mid  silver  mist, 
To  wondrous  music. 

SHELLEY. 

Oh,  what  a  dainty  pleasure  'tis, 

To  ride  in  the  air 

When  the  moon  shines  fair, 
And  sing  and  dance,  and  toy  and  kiss  ! 
Over  woods,  high  rocks,  and  mountains, 
Over  seas,  our  mistress*  fountains  ; 
Over  steeples,  towers,  and  turrets, 
We  fly  by  night,  'mong  troops  of  spirits ; 
No  ring  of  bells  to  our  ears  sounds  ; 
No  howl  of  wolves,  no  yelps  of  hounds ; 
No,  not  the  noise  of  water's  breach, 
Or  cannon's  throat,  our  height  can  reach. 

MlDDLETON. 

And  hastily  by  both  the  arm&s  twain 

I  was  araised  up  into  the  air, 

Held  in  a  cloud  of  crystal,  clere  and  fair,    *     * 

Ascending  upward,  aye  from  spere  to  spere, 

(119) 


120  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Through  aire  and  water,  and  the  hot  f yre ; 
Till  yt  I  come  unto  the  circle  clear, 
Off  signifere,*  quhare  fair  leyt  and  schere 
The  signes  schone. 

KING'S  QUAIR,  by  JAMES  I. 

With  an  airy  springy  motion, 
Over  mountain — over  ocean, 

In  our  dreams. 

Ever  in  the  sun's  bright  glances, 
As  a  bright  mote  upward  dances 

In  its  gleams. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Forgotten  Dreams. 

Dreams  which  we  strive  in  vain  to  recall,  yet  of  which  a 
vague  sentiment  continues  to  perplex  the  mind,  are  ominous 
of  loss. 

JOH.  PRJ3TORIUS. 

AND  my  dream,  my  dream  Elysian, 

Oh,  the  bright,  the  glorious  vision  ! 

It  had  passed  upon  those  waters  to  the  deep  and  distant 
sea : 

Will  it  never  more  return 

From  that  dark  and  dreary  urn  ? 
Oh !  will  no  other  streamlet,  turning,  bring  it  back  to  me  ? 

"  Never,  never,'1  sung  the  river, 
"  What  is  gone,  is  gone  for  ever, 
And  no  streamlet  flowing  onward,  ever  may  turn  back  again. 

*  The  Zodiac. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  121 

.*•" 

Forward,  with  a  ceaseless  motion  : 
Forward,  out  into  the  ocean ; 
Forward — forward — carrying  all  things  on  to  pour  into  the 

main." 

ANONYMOUS. 

And  like  the  baseless  fabric  of  this  vision,   *     * 

Leave  not  a  wrack  behind. 

SHAKSPEARE. 

% 

— -Then  all  the  charm 
Is  broken — all  that  phantom  world  so  fair, 
Vanishes ;  and  a  thousand  circlets  spread, 
And  each  misshapes  the  other.     Stay  awhile, 
Poor  youth  !  who  scarcely  darest  lift  up  thine  eyes — 
The  stream  will  soon  renew  its  smoothness,  soon 
The  visions  will  return  !     And  lo,  he  stays, 
And  soon  the  fragments  dim  of  lovely  forms 
Come  trembling  back,  unite,  and  now  once  more 
The  pool  becomes  a  mirror. 

Quoted  in  COLERIDGE'S  SIBYLLINE  LEAVES. 

— What  thou  see'st 
Is  but  the  ghost  of  thy  forgotten  dream. 

SHELLEY. 


11 


Fountain. 

To  dream  of  a  pure  clear  fountain,  is  a  sign  that  all 
troubles  will  vanish. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS. 

I  SAW  a  famous  fountain  in  my  dream, 

Where  shady  pathways  to  a  valley  led ; 

A  weeping  willow  lay  upon  that  stream, 

And  all  around  the  fountain  brink  were  spread 

Wide  branching  trees  with  dark-green  leaf  rich-clad, 

Forming  a  doubtful  twilight.         *         *         * 

The  place  was  such,  that  whoso  entered  in, 

Disrobed  was  of  every  earthly  thought, 

And  straight  became  as  one  that  knew  not  sin, 

Or  to  the  world's  first  innocence  was  brought. 

CHARLES  LAMB. 

Lo  !  this  fount  is  flowing  ever; 
But  the  fountain  prattles  never. 

Traveller  !  at  this  fountain  stay, 
Learn  of  it  with  pure  endeavour 

Good  to  do,  and  nothing  say. 

RAMLER.     Translated  by  MRS.  FOLLEN. 

Into  the  sunshine, 

Full  of  the  light, 
Leaping  and  flashing 

From  morn  till  night ! 

(122) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  123 


Into  the  star-light 

Rushing  in  spray ; 
Happy  at  midnight, 

Happy  by  day ! 

Ever  in  motion, 

Blithesome  and  cheery ; 
Still  climbing  heavenward, 

Never  aweary ; — 

Glad  of  all  weathers, 

Still  seeming  best ; 
Upward  or  downward, 

Motion  thy  rest ; — 

Ceaseless  aspiring, 

Ceaseless  content, 
Darkness  or  sunshine 

Thy  element ; 

Glorious  fountain ! 

Let  my  heart  be 
Fresh,  changeful,  constant, 

Upward  like  thee  ! 

JAS.  RUSSELL  LOWELL. 


Game — Sport. 

Agreeable  company  with  merry  games,  is,  according  to 
ARTEMIDORUS,  a  favourable  omen,  but  according  to  VON 
GERSTENBERGK,  it  is  a  token  of  death. 

IN  Pescod  time,  when  hound  to  horn 

Gives  ear  till  buck  be  killed, 
And  little  lads  with  pipes  of  corn 

Sit  keeping  beasts  a-field  ; 

Then  down  I  laid  me  by  a  stream, 

With  boughs  all  over-clad, 
And  there  I  met  the  strangest  dream 

That  ever  shepherd  had  : 

Methought  I  saw  each  Christmas  game, 

Each  revel,  all  and  some, 
And  everything  that  I  can  name, 

Or  may  in  fancy  come. 
*         *         *         *         *         *         * 

But  whither  went  this  "  merry  band," 

Our  Lord  himself  doth  know, 
For  then  full  loudly  crowed  the  cock, 

And  I  awaked  so. 

"A  dream,"  quoth  I,  "a  dog  it  is, 

I  take  thereon  no  keep, 
I  gage  my  head,  such  toys  as  this 

Do  spring  from  lack  of  sleep." 

EVANS'  OLD  BALLADS. 
(124) 


Garden. 

To  dream  of  a  beautiful  garden  with  many  flowers,  is  a 
favourable  omen.  But  if  it  be  silent  and  no  one  remaining 
therein,  it  presages  sorrow  and  grief. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

To  dream  of  the  ringing  of  bells,  betokens  grief,  sorrow, 
and  enmity. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

IN  fairest  garden  wandered 

Two  lovers  hand  in  nand, 
Two  pale  and  phantom  beings, 

They  sat  in  a  flowery  land. 

On  the  cheek  they  kissed  each  other  ; 

They  kissed  with  mouth  to  mouth  ; 
They  lay  in  close  embraces, 

They  were  fair  and  full  of  youth. 

Two  dismal  bells  were  pealing — 
The  dream  had  passed  away. 
She  in  her  convent  chamber, 

He  in  a  dungeon,  lay. 

UHLAND. 

On  a  still  silent  night,  scarce  could  I  number 
One  of  the  clock,  but  that  a  golden  slumber 
11  *  (125) 


126  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Had  locked  my  senses  fast,  and  carried  me 
Into  a  world  of  blest  felicity, 
I  know  not  how  :  First  to  a  garden,  where 
The  apricock,  the  cherry,  and  the  pear, 
The  strawberry,  and  plumb,  were  fairer  far 
Than  the  aye  pleasing  fruit  that  caused  the  jar 
Betwixt  the  goddesses,  and  tempted  more 
Than  fair  Atlanta's  ball,  though  gilded  o'er. 

THE  DREAME,  by  SIR  JOHN  SUCKLING. 

Have  I  not  dreamed  this  self-same  dream 

Ere  now  in  happier  hours  ? 
These  trees  the  very  same  do  seem, 

Love  glances,  kisses,  flowers. 

Was  it  not  here  that  calm  and  cold, 

The  moon  looked  down  in  state  ? 
Did  not  these  marble  gods  then  hold 

Their  watch  beside  the  gate  ? 

Alas  !  I  know  how  sadly  change 

These  all-too-lovely  dreams ; 
And  as  with  snowy  mantle  strange 

All  chill  enveloped  seems. 

So  we  ourselves  grow  calm  and  cold, 

Break  off  and  live  apart ; 
Yes,  we— -who  loved  so  well  of  old, 

And  kissed  with  heart  to  heart. 

HEINE. 


Garments. 

To  dream  of  finding  apparel,  indicates  constant  pros- 
perity. To  wash  garments,  betokens,  according  to  the  Grer- 
man  dream  prophets,  travelling,  or  a  sudden  change  in 
affairs.  To  buy  or  make  clothes,  presages  festivity  and 
merriment.  To  dream  of  wearing  torn  and  dirty  apparel, 
implies  strife  and  quarrel.  To  put  on  very  costly  and 
ornamented  clothes,  is  a  sign  that  if  poor  you  are  in  danger 
of  contracting  troublesome  debts.  To  be  handsomely  and 
becomingly  dressed  is  favourable  to  your  prospects  in  life, 
particularly  if  the  clothes  be  new.  If  the  clothes  be  white, 
you  will  succeed  in  your  first  undertaking  and  prosper  in 
love.  Black  is  unlucky.  Blue  denotes  happiness,  yellow 
inclines  to  good  fortune,  purple  and  scarlet  are  ominous  of 
evil,  but  crimson  presages  a  happy  old  age.  A  variety  of 
colours  betokens  a  strange  and  eventful  life.  To  dream  of 
wearing  your  usual  garments  at  the  proper  season  of  the 
year,  is  fortunate,  says  ARTEMIDORUS  (Oneirocritica.  De 
Vestitu,  c.  3,  1.  1),  and  indicates  a  continuance  of  good 
health. 


THIS  night  before  the  dawning  clear, 
Methought  St.  Francis  did  to  me  appear 
With  a  religious  habit  in  his  hand ; 
And  said,  "  In  this  go  clothe  thee,  my  servant, 
Refuse  the  world,  for  thou  must  be  a  Friar!" 

(127) 


128  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Quoth  I,  "  Saint  Francis,  loving  be  thee  till, 
And  thanked  mote  thou  be  of  thy  good  will 
To  me,  that  of  thy  clothes  art  so  kind  : 
But  them  to  wear  it  ne'er  came  in  my  mind , 
Sweet  Confessor,  pray  take  it  naught  in  ill, 
Of  full  few  friars  that  have  been  saints  we  read — 
Wherefore  go  bring  to  me  a  Bishop's  weed  !" 

The  friar  that  did  Sanct  Francis  there  appear 
A  fiend  he  was,  in  likeness  of  a  friar : 
He  vanished  away  in  foul  and  sorry  smoke, 
With  him  methought  all  the  house-end  he  took, 
And  I  awoke  as  one  in  dread  and  fear. 

Modernized  from  WILLIAM  DUNBAR.  Ob.  1520. 


Gems. 

. 

To  dream  of  gems,  is  a  most  fortunate  and  favourable 
omen.     But  to  lose  them,  forebodes  evil. 

ONE  night  I  laid  me  down  to  sleep, 

And  in  my  dreams  I  saw 
A  wondrous  sight,  that  filled  my  soul 

With  fond  religious  awe. 

Under  the  loved  old  trees,  methought, 

And  in  their  double  shade, 
I  saw  a  lofty  wall  run  round 

Of  solid  silver  made. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  129 

High  rose  its  purfled  pinnacles 

Of  bright  and  burnished  sheen, 
Until  they  hid  their  shining  heads 

Among  the  mingled  green. 

Upon  the  eastern  side,  a  gate 

Of  fretted  gold  was  placed, 
And  studded  thick  with  precious  stones 

That  in  the  sunbeams  blazed. 

The  diamond  bright,  the  sapphire  blue, 

The  emerald  so  green, 
The  ruby  red,  the  onyx  stone, 

And  topaz  there  were  seen. 

THE  DREAM  OP  A  CHILD,  by  JOHN  RHEYN! 


Gypsy. 

To  dream  of  seeing  a  gypsy,  is  fortunate  for  lovers,  but 
for  none  others. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

LOVE,  like  a  gypsy,  lately  came, 

And  did  me  much  importune 
To  see  my  hand,  that  by  the  same 
*       He  might  fortel  my  fortune. 

*  *•' 

He  saw  my  palm ;  and  then,  said  he, 

I  tell  thee  by  this  score  here 
That  thou,  within  few  months,  shall  be 

The  youthful  Prince  D'Amour  here. 

HERRICK. 


1          *  IP  ^m-     -V 

130  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

A  gypsey  stripling's  sparkling  eye 
Has  pierced  my  bosom's  core  ; 

A  feat  no  eye  beneath  the  sun 
Could  e'er  effect  before. 

GEORGE  SORROW'S  GITANO  BALLADS. 

Down  by  yon  hazel  copse,  at  .evening,  blazed 
The  Gypsy's  fagot — there  we  stood  and  gazed  ; 
Gazed  on  her  sunburnt  face  with  silent  awe, 
Her  tattered  mantle  and  her  hood  of  straw ; 
Her  moving  lips,  her  caldron  brimming  o'er  ; 
The  drowsy  brood  that  on  her  back  she  bore, 
Imps,  in  the  barn  with  mousing  owlet  bred, 
From  rifled  roost  at  nightly  revel  fed ; 
Whose  dark  eyes  flashed  through  locks  of  blackest  shade, 
When  in  the  breeze  the  distant  watch-dog  bayed : — 
And  heroes  fled  the  Sibyl's  muttered  call, 
Whose  elfin  prowess  scaled  the  orchard-wall. 
As  o'er  my  palm  the  silver  piece  she  drew, 
And  traced  the  line  of  life  with  searching  view, 
How  throbbed  my  fluttering  pulse  with  hopes  and  fears, 

To  learn  the  colour  of  my  future  years ! 

ROGERS. 


Gold. 

If  you  dream  of  holding  or  of  handling  gold,  you  will 
obtain  your  last  wish. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS. 

—With  that  methought 
The  bags  burst  open,  and  I  plunged  my  hands, 

* 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  131 


Yea  to  the  elbows,  in  a  rolling  stream 
Of  hard,  cold,  lovely  coin.     I  felt  it  flow 
Burying  my  fingers  in  a  pleasant  prison, 
And  chaining  them,  like  that  fair  queen  of  eld, 
In  glorious  golden  fetters.     Not  Danae 
Thrilled  so  beneath  her  melting  Jovial  shower, 
As  did  my  hands  under  this  blessed  rain ! 

ANONYMOUS. 

That  house's  form  within  was  rude  and  strong, 

Like  a  huge  cave  hewn  out  of  rocky  clift, 

From  whose  rough  vault  the  ragged  branches  hung 

Embost  with  massy  gold  of  glorious  gift, 

And  with  rich  metal  loaded  every  rift, 

That  heavy  ruin  they  did  seem  to  threat. 

They  forward  pass,  nor  Guyon  yet  spake  word, 
Till  that  they  came  unto  an  iron  .door, 
Which  to  them  opened  of  its  own  accord, 
And  showed  of  riches  such  exceeding  store, 
As  eye  of  man  did  never  see  before, 
Nor  ever  could  within  one  place  be  found, 
Though  all  the  wealth  which  is  or  was  of  yore, 
Could  gathered  be  through  all  the  world  around, 
And  that  above  were  added  to  that  under-ground. 

SPENSER. 


*;•• 


Guardian  Spirits. 


Visions  of  beautiful  unknown  beings,  who  regard  you 
with  love,  indicate  the  presence  of  guardian  spirits,  and 
presage  that  your  last  hour  will  be  that  of  the  Euthanasia 
or  happy  death. 

THOU  dost  come  to  me  in  dreams, 
When  entranced  in  slumber  deep, 

And  thy  radiant  countenance  seems 
Like  some  angel  guard  to  keep 
Watch  above  my  quiet  sleep. 

Thou  dost  lean  upon  my  breast, 
With  thy  sweet  lips  near  to  mine  * 

Smiles  that  ne'er  can  be  expressed 
Linger  round  that  rosy  line, 
In  whose  depths  pearls  faintly  shine. 

Every  feature  of  thy  face 

Seemeth  changed  and  glorified; 
Free  from  earthly  stain  or  trace, 

Spiritualized  and  purified — 

Fit  to  be  a  spirit's  bride. 

(132) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  133 

Thus  thou  seemest  unto  me, 
*  Sweetest  vision  of  the  night ! 

Making  her  grim  demons  flee 
Swiftly  as  the  morning  light 
Puts  the  earth-born  mists  to  flight. 

" 

It  was  anciently  believed  to  le  an  especial  office  of  the 
guardian  angels  to  keep  away  Evil  Dreams  from  the  good. 

—A  double  ward  had  she  that  night, 

When  Evil  near  her  drew; 
Her  own  good  angel  guarding  her, 

And  Eleemon's  too. 

Their  charge  it  was,  to  keep  her  safe 

From  all  unholy  things ; 
And  o'er  her  while  she  slept,  they  spread 

The  shadow  of  their  wings. 

So  when  an  Evil  Dream  drew  nigh, 

They  barred  him  from  access, 
Nor  suffered  him  to  reach  her  with 

A  breath  of  sinfulness. 

SOUTHEY. 

12 


Hair. 


To  dream  that  your  hair  is  white,  portends  care  and 
affliction,  but  also  presages  honour  and  elevation. 

ACHMET  SEIBIM,  c.  20-21. 

SUNNY  locks  of  brightest  hue 
Once  around  my  temples  grew, — 
Laugh  not,  Lady !  for  'tis  true ; 
Laugh  not,  Lady !  for  with  thee 
Time  may  deal  despitefully. 

Careful  days  and  wakeful  nights 
Early  trenched  on  young  delights ; 
Then  of  ills  an  endless  train, 
Wasting  languor,  wearying  pain, 
Feverish  thought  that  racks  the  brain, 
Crowding  all  on  summer's  prime, 
Make  me  old  before  my  time. 

So  a  sad  unlovely  hue 
O'er  the  sunny  tresses  grew, 
Thinned  their  rich  abundance  too, 
Not  a  thread  of  golden  light 
In  the  sunshine  glancing  bright. 

Silent  warming,  silvery  streak  ! 
Not  unheeded  dost  thou  speak ; 

(134) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  135 

Not  with  feelings  light  and  vain, 
Not  with  fond  regretful  pain, 
Look  I  on  the  token  sent 

To  announce  the  day  far  spent. 

ANONYMOUS. 

Bind  me  but  to  thee  with  thine  hair, 

And  quickly  I  shall  be 
Made,  by  that  fetter  or  that  snare, 

A  bondman  unto  thee. 

Or  if  thou  tak'st  that  bond  away, 

Then  bore  me  through  the  ear, 
And  by  the  law  I  ought  to  stay 

For  ever  with  thee  here.    ' 

HERRICK. 


Hand. 

A  raised  or  uplifted  hand,  signifies,  in  dreams,  that  you 
will  be  summoned  from  your  sorrows. 

NlCEFHORUS  THE  PATRIARCH. 

A  HAND  ! — a  hand  !  I  see  it  now, 
A  skinny  hand  upon  the  prow ; 
A  skinny  hand  and  a  demon's  eye 
A  wailing  blast  sweeps  wildly  by ; 
Seems  burthened  with  a  deep-drawn  sigh, 
And  rising  from  the  groaning  sea, 
A  laugh  of  hollow  mockery, 
As  of  a  fiend  in  dev'lish  glee — 


136  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

A  gush  of  waves  around  me  sweep ; 
'  And  struggling  in  the  raging  deep, 
No  time  for  prayers,  no  time  for  fears, 
Strange  voices  ringing  in  my  ears, 
Unearthly  visions  flitting  near, 
A  horrid  clang — and  I  awoke ; 
Awoke  to  find  it  fantasy. 

NEW  YORK  KNICKERBOCKER. 

I  hear  a  voice  you  cannot  hear, 

That  cries,  I  must  not  stay ; 
I  see  a  hand  you  cannot  see, 

That  beckons  me  away. 

TlCKELL. 

— And  white  hands  in  the  distance, 

Are  beckoning  to  the  unknown  country,  far  away. 

And  he  drew  off  Abdaldar's  ring, 

And  cast  it  in  the  gulf ; 

A  skinny  hand  came  up, 

And  caught  it  as  it  fell, 
And  peals  of  devilish  laughter  shook  the  cave. 

SOUTHS Y,  THALABA,  Book  V. 

A  sweet  vision  rises, 

Though  dimly  defined, 
And  a  hand  on  my  forehead 

Lies  cold  as  the  wind. 

ALICE  CAREY. 


Harp. 

To  dream  of  a  harp,  is  an  omen  of  consolation  for  the 
afflicted,  and  of  joy  to  all. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

Go,  leave  that  harp  ! — Twined  round  its  strings 

There's  many  a  magic  spell : 
Leave  that  untouched, — the  strain  it  brings 

This  heart  remembers  well. 

Let  that  remain  ! — all  else  beside 

Go  scatter  to  the  wind ! 
The  chords  that  won  my  home  a  bride 

No  other  home  shall  find. 

It  hath  no  price  since  that  sweet  hour 

She  tuned  it  first  and  played 
Love's  evening  hymn,  within  the  bower 

Her  youthful  fingers  made. 

A  spirit  like  the  summer's  night 

Hangs  o'er  that  cherished  lyre, 
And  whispers  of  the  calm  moonlight 

Are  trembling  from  the  wire. 

Still  on  my  ear  her  young  voice  falls, 

Still  floats  that  melody — 
On  each  loved  haunt  its  music  calls  ; 

Go  !  leave  that  harp  and  me. 

JAMES  T.  FIELDS. 
12  *  (137) 


138  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Profoundly  dreamt  a  youth  on  Norland  waste ; 
But  no, — it  is  not  waste  where  fairy  rings 
Reflect  the  past  as  well  as  future  things, 
When  love  and  woe  in  boding  tones  are  drest. 

They  greeted  him,  they  kissed  him,  and  retreated ; 
They  left  for  him  an  instrument  of  sound, 
Whose  forceful  strings  with  highest  deeds  could  bound, 
And  yet  with  childish  frolics  be  entreated. 

He  wakes — the  gift  he  seizes,  comprehending 
Its  sweet  mysterious  pleasures  how  to  prove, 
And  pours  it  forth  in  pure  harmonious  blending. 

4* 

0  mayst  thou  ever  victor,  joyful  move, 

Thou  Norland  sailor,  on  life's  voyage  wending, 

Conscious  of  God  within  thee  and  above. 

FOUQUE. 


Hawks. 

If  you  dream  of  catching  hawJcs,  you  will  obtain  your 
wish. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS. 

"  Now  out  alacke  !  sayd  our  comlye  queene, 

My  heart  with  griefe  will  brast. 
I  had  thought  that  dreames  had  never  been  true ; 

I  have  proved  them  true  at  last. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  139 

"  I  dreamt  in  my  dreame  on  Thursday  eve, 

In  my  bed  whereas  I  laye, 
I  dreamt  a  griffin,  a  grimlie  beast, 

Had  carryed  my  crowne  awaye ; 

"  My  gorgett  and  my  kirtle  of  gold, 

And  all  my  faire  head-geere  : 
And  he  wold  worrye  me  with  his  tush 

And  to  his  nest  y-beare : 

"  Saving  there  came  a  little  gray  hawke, 

A  merlin  him  they  call, 
Which  untill  the  grounde  did  strike  the  griff, 

That  dead  he  downe  did  fall." 

SIR  ALDINGAR.    PERCY'S  RELIQUES. 

And  in  this  state  aiid  honour  Chriemhilda  dreamt  ere  long 
That  she  bore  in  hand  a  falcon,  wild,  beautiful,  and  strong, 
Which  wounded  both  her  snowy  arms  and   griped  with 

might  and  main, 
In  all  her  life  she  ne'er  before  had  suffered  half  the  pain. 

That  dream  was  soon  related  to  her  mother  wise  and  old, 
No  better  meaning  could  she  give,  no  other  rede  unfold : 
"  The  falcon  which  thou  heldest,  is  a  brave  and  noble  youth 
Whom  thou  ere  long  wilt  marry,  and  lose  again  in  truth." 

THE  NlEBELUNGEN  LlED. 


Head  Turned. 

To  dream  that  ones  head  is  turned  (caput  suum  obtortum 
et  aversum  videre),  is  an  omen  that  you  will  be  restrained 
from  departing  from  the  place  where  you  are. 

ARTEMIDORUS,  lib.  1,  cap.  38. 

Dante,  in  his  Inferno,  represents  those  who  have  sinned 
by  venturing  to  predict  future  events,  as  being  punished  by 
having  their  faces  reversed  and  set  the  contrary  way  on 
their  limbs. 

As  on  them  more  direct  mine  eye  descends, 
Each  wonderously  seemed  to  be  reversed 
At  the  neck-bone,  so  that  the  countenance 
Was  from  the  reins  averted ;  and  because 
None  might  before  him  look,  they  were  compelled 
To  advance  with  backward  gait. 

DANTE,  INFERNO,  Canto  xx. 

But  very  uncouth  sight  was  to  behold 

How  he  did  fashion  his  untoward  pace ; 

For  as  he  backward  moved  his  footing  old, 

So  backward  still  was  turned  his  wrinkled  face ; 

Unlike  to  men  who  ever  as  they  trace, 

Both  feet  and  face  one  way  are  wont  to  lead. 

SPENSER,  FAERY  QUEEN,  b.  1,  c.  viii.  st.  31 
(140) 


Heaven. 

To  dream  of  Heaven  in  all  its  purity,  signifies  a  speedy 
and  happy  marriage.  Climbing  to  Heaven,  presages  hon- 
our and  regard. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK'S  DREAM  LEXICON. 

SLEEP  on,  and  dream  of  Heaven  awhile, 
Though  shut  so  close  thy  laughing  eyes, 
Thy  rosy  lips  still  wear  a  smile, 
And  move,  and  breathe  delicious  sighs ! — 

Ah !  now  soft  blushes  tinge  her  cheeks, 
And  mantle  o'er  her  neck  of  snow ; 
Ah  !  now  she  murmurs,  now  she  speaks, 
What  most  I  wish — and  fear  to  know. 

She  starts,  she  trembles,  and  she  weeps  ! 
Her  fair  hands  folded  on  her  breast ; 
— And  now,  how  like  a  saint  she  sleeps  ! 
A  seraph  in  the  realms  of  rest ! 

Sleep  on  secure  !  above  control, 

Thy  thoughts  belong  to  Heaven  and  thee  ! 

And  may  the  secret  of  thy  soul 

Remain  within  its  sanctuary  ! 

ROGERS. 

'Tis  at  parting  given, 

That  in  their  slumbers  they  may  dream  of  Heaven ; 
Young  voices  mingling,  as  it  floats  along, 

In  Tuscan  air  or  Handel's  sacred  song ! 

IBID. 
(141) 


Hills. 

To  dream  of  hills,  cliffs,  crags,  and  lofty  places,  pre- 
sages disappointment,  parting,  and  grief. 


ARTEMIDORUS. 


I  STOOD  upon  a  lofty  place, 
And  looked  out  on  the  plain, 

And  there  I  saw  a  lovely  face 
I  never  saw  again. 


HAUPP. 


Some  say  that  gleams  of  a  remoter  world 

Visit  the  soul,  in  sleep, — that  death  is  slumber, 

And  that  its  shapes  the  busy  thoughts  outnumber 

Of  those  who  wake  and  live. — I  look  on  high ; 

Has  some  unknown  omnipotence  unfurled 

The  veil  of  life  and  death  ?  or  do  I  lie 

In  dream,  and  does  the  mightier  world  of  sleep 

Speed  far  around  and  inaccessibly 

Its  circles  ?     For  the  very  spirit  fails, 

Driven  like  a  homeless  cloud  from  steep  to  steep, 

That  vanishes  among  the  viewless  gales  ! 

Far,  far  above,  piercing  the  infinite  sky, 

Mont  Blanc  appears, — still,  snowy,  and  serene — 

Its  subject  mountains,  their  unearthly  forms 

Pile  around  it,  ice  and  rocjk ;  broad  vales  between 

Of  frozen  floods,  unfathomable  deeps, 

Blue  as  the  overhanging  heaven,  that  spread 

And  wind  among  the  accumulated  steeps ; 

(142) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  143 


A  desert  peopled  by  the  storms  alone, 

Save  when  the  eagle  brings  some  hunter's  bone, 

And  the  wolf  tracks  her  there — how  hideously 

Its  shapes  are  heaped  around  !  rude,  bare,  and  high, 

Ghastly,  and  scarred,  and  riven. 

SHELLEY. 


Holidays. 

To  dream  of  holidays,  festival  occasions,  and  streets 
crowded  with  revellers,  forebodes  mourning  and  misery. 

METHOUGHT  I  heard  a  stir  of  hasty  feet, 

And  horses  tramped,  and  coaches  rolled  along, 

And  there  were  busy  voices  in  the  street, 
As  if  a  multitude  were  hurrying  on ; 

A  stir  it  was  which  only  could  befall 

Upon  some  grand  and  solemn  festival. 

Such  crowds  I  saw,  and  in  such  glad  array, 

It  seemed  some  general  joy  had  filled  the  land; 

Age  had  a  sunshine  on  its  cheek  that  day, 
And  children,  tottering  by  the  mother's  hand, 

Too  young  to  ask  why  all  this  joy  should  be, 

Partook  it,  and  rejoiced  for  sympathy. 

From  every  church  the  merry  bells  rung  round 
With  gladdening  harmony  heard  far  and  wide ; 

In  many  a  mingled  peal  of  swelling  sound, 
The  hurrying  music  came  on  every  side ; 

And  banners  from  the  steeples  waved  on  high, 

And  streamers  fluttered  in  the  sun  and  sky. 


144  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Gone  was  the  glory  when  I  raised  my  head ; 

But  in  the  air  appeared  a  form  half  seen, 
Below  with  shadows  dimly  garmented, 

And  indistinct  and  dreadful  was  his  mien. 


Hear  me,  0  Princess  !"  said  the  shadowy  form, 
"  My  name  is  DEATH  !" 


SOUTHEY. 


Home. 

To  dream  of  returning  home,  indicates  that  your  troubles 
will  soon  be  over. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

OUR  bugles  sang  truce — for  the  night-cloud  had  lowered, 
And  the  sentinel  stars  set  their  watch  in  the  sky ; 

And  thousands  had  sunk  on  the  ground  overpowered, 
The  weary  to  sleep,  and  the  wounded  to  die. 

When  reposing  that  night  on  my  pallet  of  straw, 
By  the  wolf-scaring  faggot  that  guarded  the  slain, 

At  the  dead  of  the  night  a  sweet  vision  I  saw, 
And  thrice  ere  the  morning  I  dreamt  it  again. 

Methought  from  the  battle-field's  dreadful  array, 
Far,  far  I  had  roamed  on  a  desolate  track ; 

?Twas  autumn — and  sunshine  arose  on  the  way, 
To  the  home  of  my  fathers  that  welcomed  me  back. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  145 

I  flew  to  the  pleasant  fields,  traversed  so  oft 

In  life's  morning  march,  when  my  bosom  was  young ; 

I  heard  my  own  mountain-goats  bleating  aloft, 

And  knew  the  sweet  strain  that  the  corn  reapers  sung. 

Then  pledged  we  the  wine-cup,  and  fondly  I  swore 

From  my  home  and  my  weeping  friends  never  to  part ; 

My  little  ones  kissed  me  a  thousand  times  o'er, 
And  my  wife  sobbed  aloud  in  her  fulness  of  heart. 

"  Stay,  stay  with  us — rest,  thou  art  weary  and  worn ;" 
And  fain  was  their  war-broken  soldier  to  stay : 

But  sorrow  returned  with  the  dawning  of  morn,^ 
And  the  T  oice  in  my  dreaming  ear  melted  away. 

CAMPBELL. 

Erewhile  I  dreamed  about  the  hills  of  home 
Whereon  I  used  to  roam. 

ALICE  CAREY. 


Horses. 

White  horses  seen  in  dreams  are  truly  the*  apparition  of 
angels,  while  black  steeds  are  the  ill-omened  messengers  of 
evil. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS. 

\  7  .      i* 

BUT  still  the  Wildgrave  onward  rides  ; 

Halloo,  halloo,  and  hark  again ! 
When  spurring  from  opposing  sides> 

Two  stranger  horsemen  join  the  train. 
ia 


146  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Who  was  each  stranger  left  and  right, 
Well  may  I  guess,  but  dare  not  tell ; 

The  right  hand  steed  was  silver-white, 
The  left,  the  swarthy  hue  of  hell. 

The  right  hand  horseman  young  and  fair, 
His  smile  was  like  the  morn  of  May ; 

The  left  from  eye  of  tawny  glare 
Shot  midnight  lightning's  lurid  ray. 

"  Cease  thy  loud  bugle's  clanging  knell/* 
Cried  the  fair  youth,  with  silver  voice ; 

"  And  for  devotion's  choral  swell 

Exchange  the  rude  unhallowed  noise." 

"  Away,  and  sweep  the  glades  along  !" 
The  Sable  Hunter  hoarse  replies  : 

"  To  muttering  monks  leave  matin  song, 
And  bells,  and  books,  and  mysteries/' 


BURGER. 


She  followed  her  master  to  the  church  door ; 

There  stood  a  black  horse  there  : 
His  breath  was  red  like  furnace-smoke, 

His  eyes  like  a  meteor's  glare. 

The  devil  he  flung  her  on  the  horse, 

And  he  leaped  up  before, 
And  away  like  the  lightning's  speed  they  went, 

And  she  was*  seen  no  more. 

SOUTHEY. 


House  Burning. 


To  dream  that  ones  house  is  burning,  is  an  evil  omen  to 
l)  and  one,  'betokening  death  to  the  owner. 

ARTEMIDORUS,  2,  10.  • 

EBBE  has  dreamed  a  wondrous  dream, 
And  early  when  he  woke : 
Forth  walking  in  the  morning  beam, 
Unto  his  mother  spoke  : 

"  I  dreamt  last  night,  this  house  of  mine 
Was  all  in  flame  and  fire  ; 
And  saw  my  mother  and  my  bride 
Amid  the  blaze  expire." 

"  Then  go  not  forth  to-day,  my  son, 
And  neither  hunt  nor  ride, 
But  sit  above,  in  thy  chamber,  still, 
And  talk  with  thy  fair  young  bride." 

"  I  will  not  sit  in  a  lady's  room, 
And  drink  to  my  fair  young  wife ; 
No  gallant  knight,  God  wot,  is  he, 
"Who  trembles  for  his  life  ! 

I  will  not  sit  at  my  lady's  feet, 
For,  ever  my  father  saith, 
<  No  gallant  knight  alive  is  he 
Who  fears  for  life  or  death.' >: 

(147) 


148  POETRY  OF  BREAMS. 

And  it  was  Ebbe  Tykeson 
Rode  from  his  lady's  bower, 
And  met  with  many  a  deadly  foe 
All  in  an  evil  hour. 

"  And  hear  thou,  Ebbe  Tykeson  ! 
Why  ridest  thou  alone  ? 
Where  is  thy  hawk,  and  where  thy  hound, 
And  where  have  thy  hunters  flown  ?" 

"  Some  I  have  left  in  Rosenhain, 

To  hunt  the  deer  for  me ; 

And  some  cut  through  the  dark-blue  wave 

And  sail  on  the  salty  sea. 

And  some  I  have  left  in  Rosenhain, 
To  run  and  eke  to  ride  ; 
And  some  are  in  my  distant  home 
To  wait  on  my  fair  young  bride.'* 

And  some  of  them  stabbed  him  with  daggers  sharp, 

And  some  with  rapiers  keen ; 

God  save  his  soul ! — he  well  deserved 

A  better  death  I  ween  ! 

EBBE  TYKESON. 
Translated  from  tJie  Swedish  by  C.  G.  LELAND. 

Lord  Hamleton  dremed  in  his  dreame, 
In  Carval,  where  he  laye, 
His  halle  were  all  on  fire, 
His  ladye  slayne  or  dye. 

Buske,  and  boune,  my  merry  men  all, 
Even  and  goe  ye  with  me, 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  149 


For  I  dreamed  that  my  hall  was  on  fire, 
My  lady  slaine  or  die. 

He  busked  him  and  bouned  him, 
And  like  a  worthy  knight, 
And  when  he  sawe  his  hall  burning, 
His  harte  was  no  dele  light. 

THE  BALLAD  OP  CAPTAIN  CAB.    RITSON'S  ANCIENT  SONGS. 


Hunter — Hunting. 


To  dream  of  hunting  and  of  all  thereto  pertaining,  is 
an  evil  sign,  denoting  trouble  and  sorrow. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

During  the  middle  ages,  the  pursuit  of  the  soul  ~by  Satan 
was  depicted  on  church  pillars  and  doors,  under  the  symbol 
of  a  deer  pursued  by  a  hunter  and  his  hounds. 

HOPES  and  fears  ! 

Huntsmen  and  hounds,  ye  follow  us  as  game, 
Poor  panting  outcasts  of  your  forest  law  ; 
Each  cheers  the  other,  one  with  wild  halloos, 
And  one  with  whines  and  howls — a  dreadful  chase, 
That  only  ceases  when  horns  sound  "Amort!" 

BOKER. 

This  world  a  hunting  is, 
The  prey  poor  man ;  the  Nimrod  fierce  is  Death ; 

His  speedy  greyhounds  are 

Lust,  Sickness,  Envy,  Care ; 

Strife  that  ne'er  falls  amiss 

With  all  those  ills  which  haunt  us  while  we  breathe. 
13* 


150  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Now,  if  by  chance  we  fly 
Of  these  the  eager  chase, 
Old  Age,  with  stealing  pace. 
Casts  on  his  nets,  and  there  we  panting  die. 

DRUMMOND  OP  HAWTHORNDEN,  b.  1585. 


Iron. 

To  dream  of  working  in  iron  portends  disunion  and  strife, 

but  cold  iron  signifies  honour. 

DAS  REICHHALTIGE  TRATTM  BUCH. 

"  IRON  !  iron  !  iron  !" — crashing 

Like  the  battle-axe  and  shield ; 
Or  the  sword  on  helmet  clashing 

Through  a  bloody  battle  field. 
"  Iron  !  iron  !  iron !" — rolling, 

Like  the  far-off  cannon's  boom ; 
Or  the  death-knell  slowly  tolling 

Through  a  dungeon's  charnel  gloom ! 
"  Iron  !  iron  !  iron!" — swinging 

Like  the  summer  winds  at  play ; 
Or  as  bells  of  Time  were  ringing 

In  the  blest  Millennial  Day ! 

S.  J.  HALE. 


Ivy. 

To  dream  of  ivy,  indicates  a  variety  of  good  fortune.  If 
you  seem  to  pull  the  vine  or  pluck  its  leaves,  you  will  enjoy 
continual  good  health  and  make  many  new  and  true  friends. 
To  see  ivy  or  be  crowned  with  it,  presages  feasts  and  revelry, 
triumph  and  victory. 

OH  how  could  Fancy  crown  with  thee, 

In  ancient  days,  the  god  of  wine, 
And  bid  thee  at  the  banquet  be 

Companion  of  the  vine  ? 
Thy  home,  wild  plant,  is  where  the  sound 

Of  revelry  hath  long  been  o'er, 
Where  song's  full  notes  once  pealed  around, 

But  now  are  heard  no  more. 

The  Roman,  on  his  battle-plains, 
Where  kings  before  his  eagles  bent, 

Entwined  thee,  with  exulting  strains, 
Around  the  victor's  tent; 

Yet  there,  though  fresh  in  glossy  green 
Triumphantly  thy  boughs  might  wave, 

Better  thou  lov'st  the  silent  scene 

Around  the  victor's  grave. 

HE  MANS. 

1. 

Ivy,  chief  of  trees  it  is, 
.    Veni  coronaberis. 

(151) 


152  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

The  most  worthy  is  she  in  town ; 

He  who  says  other  says  amiss ; 

Worthy  is  she  to  bear  the  crown : 

Veni  coronaberis. 
Ivy  is  soft  and  meek  of  speech, 

Against  all  woe  she  bringeth  bliss  ; 
Happy  is  he  that  may  her  reach ; 

Veni  coronaberis. 
Ivy  is  green,  of  colour  bright, 
Of  all  trees  the  chief  she  is; 
And  that  I  prove  will  now  be  right ; 

Veni  coronaberis. 
Ivy  she  beareth  berries  black ; 

God  grant  to  all  of  us  his  bliss 
For  then  we  shall  nothing  lack ; 
Veni  coronaberis. 

2. 

Holly  and  Ivy  made  a  great  party, 
Who  should  have  the  mastery 

In  lands  where  they  go. 

Then  spake  Holly,  "  I  am  fierce  and  jolly, 
I  will  have  the  mastery 

In  lands  where  we  go." 

Then  spake  Ivy,  "  I  am  loud  and  proud, 
And  I  will  have  the  mastery 

In  lands  where  we  go.3* 

Then  spake  Holly,  and  bent  him  down  on  his  knee, 
"  I  pray  thee,  gentle  Ivy, 
Essay  me  no  villany 

In  lands  where  we  go." 

ANCIENT  CHRISTMAS  CAROLS. 
I 


J 


asmme. 


"Jessamine  or  jasmin  seen  in  dreams  presages  the  fullest 
realization  of  a  lover's  hopes."  So  says  a  modern  Grerman 
Dream  Book.  The  jasmin  seems  indeed  to  be  a  peculiarly 
appropriate  symbol  of  "  love  realized"  since  it  was  at  a 
wedding  where  the  bridegroom  presented  the  bride  with  a 
bouquet  of  this  flower,  that  it  first  found  its  way  from  the 
hands  of  a  botanical  monopolist  to  the  gardens  of  Europe. 

THE  image  of  love  that  nightly  flies 

To  .visit  the  bashful  maid, 
Steals  from  the  jasmine  flower  that  sighs 

Its  soul  like  her  in  the  shade. 
The  hope,  in  dreams,  of  a  happier  hour 

That  alights  on  misery's  brow, 
Springs  out  of  the  silvery  almond  flower, 
That  blooms  on  a  leafless  bough. 
Then  hasten  we,  maid,  * 
To  twine  our  braid, 

To-morrow  the  dreams  and  flowers  will  fade. 
— For  I  know  where  the  winged  visions  dwell 

That  round  the  night-bed  play ; 
I  know  each  herb  and  floweret's  bell, 
Where  they  hide  their  wings  by  day ; 
Then  hasten  we,  maid, 
To  twine  our  braid, 
To-morrow  the  dreams  and  flowers  will  fade. 

MOORE. 
(153) 


Jealousy. 


To  dream  that  your  lady  smiles  on  another,  presages 
that  in  a  short  time  she  will  be  yours  alone. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

I  STOLE  A  DREAM  that  like  the  stir 

Of  moonlight  on  the  sea, 
Over  the  virgin  brow  of  her 

I  loved,  lay  silently ! 

I  saw  another,  and  he  wore 

A  statelier  step  than  mine, 
And  threw  a  nobler  shadow  o'er 

My  sleeping  Eveline. 

And  there  was  love-like  mystery, 

Lay  burning  in  the  glance 
Of  her  dark  eyes,  that  gave  reply 

To  his  fair  countenance. 

And  I  beheld  myself,  but  not 

As  I  had  pictured  me ; 
Oh  God  !  that  I  should  bear  the  thought 

Of  such  deformity ! 

It  was,  I  see  it  must  have  been, 

Her  malice  drew  me  so ; — 
A  likeness  !  yet  most  frightful  in 

Those  lineaments  of  woe ! 

(154) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  155 


She  saw  it  in  her  dream ;  'twas  this 

That  to  her  glowing  cheek 
Threw  the  cold  creeping  chilliness, 

The  melancholy  streak ; — 

She  smote  her  white  hand  on  her  brow, 
And  flung  each  raven  tress 

Back,  like  a  cloud  amid  the  glow 
Of  her  pale  loveliness. 

Then  breathed  another  name — a  new, 

A  loathed  name  to  me  : — 
The  dream  was  but  a  dream,  I  drew 

In  my  heart's  jealousy  ! 


ANONYMOUS. 


Keys. 

To  dream  of  keys,  signifies  that  you  will  have  a  good  wife 
or  husband,  and  live  happily  at  home. 


ARTEMIDORTJS. 


MANY  a  key  have  I  bought  and  sold, 

Hammered  in  iron,  or  chased  in  gold ; 

But  such  a  key 

Did  I  never  see, 

As  that  of  King  Orian's  treasury : 

For  he  who  wins  it  by  love  or  art, 

Can  unlock  the  shrine  of  the  closest  heart. 

If  it  touches  a  sleeping  maiden's  lips, 

She'll  whisper  in  dreaming  Tier  wiles  and  slips ; 


156  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


And  be  it  a  pleasure  or  be  it  a  pain, 

All  that  you  ask  she  must  answer  again. 

Be  it  a  pain  or  be  it  a  pleasure, 

She  must  tell  in  all  truth  of  her  heart's  best  treasure. 

But  woe  is  me  ! 

Far  under  the  sea, 

Lies  hidden  in  silence  that  wonderful  key  : 

And  ne'er  till  the  mermaids  return  it  again, 

Can  we  know  if  a  mortal  speaks  truly  and  plain : 

And  were  I  now  kissing  that  key  so  cold, 

This  story,  perhaps,  love,  had  never  been  told ! 

THE  ROMAUNT  OF  KING  ORIAN. 


King. 


To  dream  of  a  king  alone,  presages  favours,  mercy,  and 

forgiveness  of  injuries. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

I  SAT  lonely  in  the  twilight. 

Dreaming  o'er  the  mystic  page, 
Where  the  song  of  songs  is  written 

By  King  Solomon  the  sage. 

It  befell,  while  I  was  reading, 

That  the  page  before  mine  eyes 
Vanished  like  a  mist  receding, 

And  I  saw  a  landscape  rise. 

I  beheld  the  lost  Jerusalem 

In  its  glory,  as  of  old, 
And  the  Temple  in  the  moonlight, 

With  its  pinnacles  of  gold. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  157 

While  the  sleepless  monarch,  turning 

On  his  bed,  a  soul  possessed, 
Battled  with  a  quenchless  yearning 

And  the  demons  of  unrest. 

Then  he  slept ;  and  to  his  slumbers 

Passed  the  angels  good  and  ill, 
Stole  the  dream  that  woke  those  numbers 

Which  for  ages  breathe  and  thrill. 

'Twas  a  dream :  whence  come  I  knew  not, 

From  below  or  from  above ; 
But  it  whispered  to  Ben  David 

Visions  marvellous — of  LOVE. 

M.  w. 


Kifs. 

To  dream  of  kissing  one  whom  we  know  or  love,  is  a 
favourable  omen.  To  Jciss  an  enemy,  denotes  reconciliation. 
But  kissing  strangers  in  dreams,  is  ominous  of  evil. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

How  comes  it,  sleep,  that  thou 

Even  kisses  me  affords 
Of  her,  dear  her,  so  far  who's  absent  now  ? 

How  did  I  hear  those  words, 
Which  rocks  might  move  and  move  the  pines  to  bow  ? 

Ah  me  !  before  half  day 

Why  did'st  thou  steal  away  ? 
Return.     I  thine  for  ever  will  remain, 
If  thou  wilt  bring  with  thee  that  guest  again ! 

Kitting  in  Dream*.    DRUMMOND  OP  HAWTHOENDBN. 


158  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

You  kissed  me  then,  I  worshipped  at  thy  feet 

Upon  the  shadowy  sod ; 
0  fool !  I  loved  thee  !  loved  thee,  lovely  cheat ! 

Better  than  fame  or  God. 

My  soul  leaped  up  beneath  thy  timid  kiss — 

What  then  to  me  were  groans, 
Or  pain  or  death  ?     Earth  was  a  round  of  bliss, 

I  seemed  to  walk  on  thrones. 

ALEXANDER  SMITH. 


Awake  thy  arms  were  round  me, 

And  still  in  dreams  we  met, 
In  dreams  thy  wild  love  bound  me 

By  vows  which  thrill  me  yet. 
My  lips  were  pressed  to  thine,  love, 

With  kisses  then  I  spoke ; 
'Twas  Eden  while  we  dreamed,  love, 

'Twas  Heaven  when  we  woke. 

ANONYMOUS. 


But  when  I  kissed  him  back,  and  said 

The  embers  never  cast  a  gleam 
Through  our  low  cabin,  half  so  red, 

Sleep  vanished — all  had  been  a  dream. 

ALICE  CAREY. 


Ladder. 

To  see  a  ladder,  signifies  that  the  dreamer  will  travel. 
To  climb  one,  presages  rank  and  dignity.  To  dream  of 
falling  from  a  ladder  forebodes  sorrow  and  desolation. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK'S  DREAM  LEXICON. 

RocTiford.  First  hear  my  dream,  I  swear,  no  common  one, 
For  you  were  mingled  in  it. 

Queen  Anne.  Well,  say  on. 

Roehford.  I  thought  that  you  and  I,  for  years  and  years, 
Had  climbed  the  rundles  of  a  slippery  ladder. 
I  knew  not  why  we  clambered ;  though  above 
A  blazing  halo,  like  a  sunset  sky, 
Shone  glorious,  and  towards  it  we  bent  our  steps, 
Urged  by  resistless  impulse.     You  were  first ; 
And  when  I  halted,  by  the  labour  tired, 
Or  dizzy  at  the  awful  depth  beneath, 
You  cheered  me  on,  and  with  your  nimble  feet 
Spurned  the  frail  rounds,  till,  sundered  'neath  your  tread, 
They  fell  around  me.     Woful,  woful  sight ! 
Each  stick  in  falling,  to  a  ghastly  head 
Was  metamorphosed.     Here  Queen  Katharine's  fell ; 
There  Wolsey's ;  More's  and  Fisher's,  spouting  blood ; 
And  many  a  one  whose  face  I  could  not  catch. 
These,  as  they  passed  me,  whispered  in  mine  ears 
A  horrid  curse,  and  grinned,  and  winked  their  eyes. — 

Queen  Anne.     Good  heaven,  how  awful !      Was  there 
more  of  this  ? 

Roehford.  Ay,  far  more  dreadful  fancies. 

Queen  Anne.  Could  there  be  ? 

(159) 


160  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Rochford.     Already  through  the  radiant  clouds  above 
Your  form  was  piercing,  when  our  frail  support 
Shook  till  I  sickened ;  and  aloft  I  saw 
A  dreadful  shape,  in  features  like  the  king, 
Tugging  and  straining  with  his  threatening  hand 
To  hurl  our  ladder  to  the  depths  below. 
I  saw  you  clutching  at  the  dazzling  clouds, 
That,  unsubstantial,  melted  in  your  grasp; 
I  heard  you  cry  to  the  unpitying  fiend 
Who  held  our  lives  in  his  relentless  hands ; 
I  saw  you  turn  on  me  one  fearful  look, 
In  whose  dread  meaning  desolate  despair 
Had  crowded  all  pale  shapes  of  agony, 
Ere,  with  spasmodic  catching  at  my  breath, 
I  shot  down  headlong. With  the  fall,  I  woke. 

Anne  Boleyn,  Scene  ii.,  Act  iii.     BOKER. 


'Ladies — Maidens. 

To  dream  of  ladies  with  Hack  or  dark  brown  hair,  pre- 
sages sickness  ;  but  a  blonde  indicates  a  "happy  event.  A 
lady  with  long,  beautiful  locks,  is  a  sign  of  wealth  and 
honour.  A.  beautiful  and  unknown  lady,  betokens  health 
and  pleasure  to  a  man,  but  jealousy  and  quarrels  to  a 
woman.  To  kiss  a  lady,  is  an  omen  of  acquiring  property. 
To  hear  a  lady  sing,  signifies  travelling  or  some  great  plea- 
sure. A  lady  praying,  announces  happiness. 

A  VISION  on  his  sleep 
There  came,  a  dream  of  hopes  that  never  yet 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  161 


Had  flushed  his  cheek.     He  dreamed  a  veiled  maid 
Sate  near  him,  talking  in  low,  solemn  tones. 
Her  voice  was  like  the  voice  of  his  own  soul, 
Heard  in  the  calm  of  thought ;  its  music  long, 
Like  woven  sounds  of  streams  and  breezes,  held 
His  inmost  sense  suspended  in  its  web. 

Sudden  she  rose, 

As  if  her  heart  impatiently  endured 
Its  bursting  burthen  :  at  the  sound  he  .turned, 
And  saw  by  the  warm  light  of  their  own  life, 
Her  glowing  limbs  beneath  the  sinuous  veil 
Of  woven  wind ;  her  outspread  arms  now  bare, 
Her  dark  locks  floating  in  the  breath  of  night, 
Her  beamy  bending  eyes,  her  parted  lips 
Outstretched,  and  pale,  and  quivering  eagerly. 
His  strong  heart  sank  and  sickened  with  excess 
Of  love.     He  reared  his  shuddering  limbs,  and  quelled 
His  gasping  breath,  and  spread  his  arms  to  meet 
Her  panting  bosom : — she  drew  back  awhile ; 
Then,  yielding  to  the  irresistible  joy, 
With  frantic  gesture  and  short  breathless  cry, 
Folded  his  frame  in  her  dissolving  arms. 

SHELLEY. 


Lady-Love. 


To  dream  of  the  loved  one,  denotes  happiness,  good  for- 
tune, and  success  in  love. 

THE  ivory,  coral,  gold, 
Of  breast,  of  lip,  of  hair, 
So  lively  Sleep  doth  shew  to  inward  sight, 
14* 


162  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

That  'wake  I  think  I  hold 

No  shadow,  but  my  fair : 

Myself  so  to  deceive, 
"With  long  shut  eyes  I  view  the  irksome  light. 

Such  pleasure  here  I  have, 

Delighting  in  false  gleams, 

If  Death  Sleep's  brother  be, 
And  souls  bereft  of  sense  have  so  sweet  dreams, 
How  could  I  wish  thus  still  to  dream  and  die. 

DRUMMOND  OF  HAWTHORNDEN. 

She  came  in  her  beauty  bright  as  day, 
To  where  in  his  sleep  her  true  knight  lay, 
She  held  in  her  small  and  light  bright  hand 
A  plaything,  a  brilliant  moon-gold  band : 
She  wound  it  about  his  hair  and  her  own, 
Still  singing  the  while,  "  We  two  are  one !" 
All  round  them  the  world  lay  poor  and  dim, 
Aloft  in  her  glory  she  rose  with  him ; 
They  stood  in  a  garden  fair  and  bright — 
The  angels  do  call  it  "  Land  of  Light !" 

LA  MOTTE  FOUQUE. 

They  tenderly  loved,  and  yet  neither 
Would  venture  the  other  to  move ; 

They  lived  as  if  hate  were  between  them, 
Yet  still  were  half  dying  with  love. 

They  parted,  and  then  met  each  other 

In  dreams  and  in  visions  alone ; 
They  had  long  left  this  life  for  another, 

Yet  scarcely  to  either  'twas  known. 

HEINE. 


Lake. 

To  dream  of  a  tranquil,  glassy  lake,  presages  joy  and 
content. 

ARTEMIDORTJS. 

"  Lac  tranquillorum  index  est  morum" — A  lake  indicates 
quiet  and  gentle  manners. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS. 

THIS  placid  lake,  my  gentle  girl, 

Be  emblem  of  thy  life ; 
As  full  of  peace  and  purity, 

As  free  from  care  and  strife ; 
No  ripple  on  its  tranquil  breast 

That  dies  not  with  the  day ; 
No  pebble  in  its  darkest  depths 

But  quivers  in  its  ray. 

And  see,  how  every  glorious  form 

And  pageant  of  the  skies, 
Reflected  from  its  glassy  face 

A  mirrored  image  lies ; 
So  be  thy  spirit  ever  pure, 

To  GOD  and  virtue  given, 
And  thought,  and  word,  and  action  bear 

The  imagery  of  Heaven. 

GEORGE  W.  DOANB. 
(163) 


Lamps. 

Lamps  or  lights  gleaming  from  houses,  signify  intelli- 
gence or  information. 


ASTRAMPSYCHIUSi 


IN  a  vision  I  was  seized, 
When  the  elements  were  hushed 
In  the  stillness  that  is  felt 
Ere  the  storm  goes  abroad ; 
Through  the  air  I  was  borne  away ; 

And  in  spirit  I  beheld 
Where  a  City  lay  beneath, 
Like  a  valley  mapped  below, 
When  seen  from  a  mountain  top. 

The  night  had  closed  around, 

And  o'er  the  sullen  sky 
Were  the  wide  wings  of  darkness  spread  ; 
The  City's  myriad  lamps 

Shone  mistily  below, 
Like  stars  in  the  bosom  of  a  lake ; 
And  its  murmurs  arose 
Incessant  and  deep, 
Like  the  sound  of  the  sea 
Where  it  rakes  on  a  stony  shore. 


SOUTHEY. 


Laughing. 


Dream  of  laughing,  and  you  will  wake,  to  sorrow. 

NlCEPHORUS  THE  PATRIARCH. 

GENTLE  seemed 

The  lady,  smiling,  as  she  dreamed, 
But  not  of  him  her  visions  are, 

Who  for  the  sake  of  the  sweet  light 
Within  her  casement,  vexed  the  night — 
Her  thoughts  are  travellers  otherwhere.    *    * 
At  midnight  on  a  jutting  cliff, 

A  raven  flapped  his  wings  and  cried. 

THE  MINSTREL,  by  ALICE  CAREY; 

I  heard  a  sound  of  laughter  in  my  dream, 
Of  merry  laughter,  ringing  like  the  chime 
Of  distant  bells,  faint  heard  at  eventide, 
Then  rising  louder,  as  if  onward  borne 
On  some  wild  spirit-breeze,  to  life  awaked 
By  its  sweet  invocation.     Nearer  yet 
The  wondrous  voices  stole,  while  I,  all  still, 
In  thrilled  expectancy  lay  waiting  long 
The  opening  of  some  delicate  mystery. 
• — Again  the  laugh  pealed  out  so  cheerily 
That  I,  perforce — my  patience  all  forlore — 
Made  one  in  the  mad  chorus,  bursting  forth 

(1653 


166  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

With  no  more  reason  than  the  traveller 
Who  breathes  the  vapours  of  the  Indian  pool 
Which  all  who  breathe,  die  laughing.    Then  the  cry 
Closed  round  me  like  the  bell  of  baying  hounds, 
Still  changing  to  a  maddening  mocking  yell, 
And  then  to  fiendish  screaming. 

Here  I  woke — 
Woke  once  again  to  my  fell  misery. 

C.  G.  LELAND. 


Lawyers. 


To  dream  of  law,  lawyers,  and  all  thereto  pertaining, 
presages  grief;  misery,  affliction,  and  ruin.  To  the  sick 
it  is  a  warning  to  lead  a  better  life  ;  and  if  they  dream  of 
being  found  guilty,  it  is  a  sure  sign  of  death.  But  if  the 
man  involved  in  a  lawsuit  dreams  of  being  in  court,  it  is 
an  omen  that  his  adversary  will  be  defeated. 

ARTEMIDORUS,  c.  29. 

To  set  up  a  village 
With  tackle  for  tillage, 

Jack  Carter  he  took  to  the  saw  ; 
To  plunder  and  pillage 
This  same  little  village, 

Tim  Gordon  he  took  to  the  law. 
They  angled  so  pliant 
For  gudgeon  and  client, 

As  sharp  as  a  wreazel  for  rats : 
Till  what  with  their  law-dust, 
And  what  with  their  saw-dust, 

They  blinded  the  eyes  of  the  flats. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  167 

Jack  brought  to  the  people 
A  bill  for  a  steeple : 

They  swore  that  they  wouldn't  be  bit : 
But  out  of  a  saw-pit 
Was  into  a  law-pit, 

Tim  tickled  them  up  with  a  writ. 
Says  Jack  to  saw-rasper, 
"I  say,  neighbour  Grasper, 

We  both  of  us  buy  in  the  stocks ; 
While  I  for  my  savings, 
Turn  blocks  into  shavings, 

You're  shaving  the  heads  of  the  blocks." 

Jack  capered  in  clover, 
But  when  work  was  over, 

Got  drunk  as  a  fool  for  a  freak; 
But  Timothy  Gordon, 
He  stood  for  church-warden, 

And  eat  himself  dead  in  a  week. 
Jack  made  him  a  coffin, 
But  Timothy,  off  in 

A  loud  clap  of  thunder  had  flown ; 
— When  lawyers  lie  level, 
Be  sure  that  the  devil 

Looks  sharp  enough  after  his  own. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Light. 


If  one  dream  that  lie  sees  a  great  light  suddenly  flash 
out  in  darkness,  he  will  assuredly  succeed  in  all  the  schemes 
which  he  may  be  at  the  time  devising. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

I  HAD  awoke  from  an  unpleasant  dream, 
And  LIGHT  was  welcome  to  me.     I  looked  out 
To  feel  the  common  air,  and  when  the  breath 
Of  the  delicious  morning  met  my  brow, 
Cooling  its  fever,  and  the  pleasant  sun 
Shone  on  familiar  objects,  it  was  like 
The  feeling  of  the  captive  who  comes  forth 
From  darkness  to  the  cheerful  light  of  day. 
Oh !  could  we  wake  from  sorrow ;  were  it  all 
A  troubled  dream  like  this,  to  cast  aside, 
Like  an  untimely  garment,  with  the  morn ; 
Could  the  long  fever  of  the  heart  be  cooled 
By  a  sweet  breath  from  nature ;  or  the  gloom 
Of  a  bereaved  affection  pass  away 
With  looking  on  the  lively  tint  of  flowers — 
How  lightly  were  the  spirit  reconciled 
To  make  this  beautiful  bright  world  its  home  ! 

N.  P.  WILLIS. 

Even  dreams  have  filled  my  soul  with  light, 
And  on  my  way  their  splendour  left, 

As  if  the  darkness  of  the  night 
Were  by  some  planet's  rising  cleft. 

ALICE  CAREY. 
(168) 


Lighthouse. 


You  willy  after  dreaming  of  a  lighthouse,  shortly  receive 
either  profitable  advice  or  a  seasonable  warning. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

RISING  from  the  wild  dark  sea, 
Awful  in  immensity ! 
Based  upon  a  craggy  rock 
That  long  has  braved  th'  infuriate  shock 
Of  angry  billows,  wildly  gushing, 
And  in  mighty  onset  rushing, 
As  combined  to  overwhelm 
Rock  and  tower  in  Ocean's  realm — 
See  the  lonely  Pharos  keep 
Sentry  o'er  the  dangerous  deep, 
Where,  unmarked  by  careless  eye, 
Perils  heaped  on  perils  lie, 
And  each  heavy-rolling  wave 
Breaks  above  a  sailor's  grave. 
Now,  while  in  her  ebon  car, 
Night  displays  her  banner  far, 
And  no  orb  of  day  serene 
Looks  upon  the  cheerless  scene. 
But  above — below — around — 
All  is  wrapt  in  gloom  profound ; 
While  the  chill  and  boisterous  breeze 
Lashes  the  repining  seas, 
And  the  curlew's  shriek  of  fear 
Startles  painfully  the  ear  : 
15  (169) 


170  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Streaming  from  yon  lantern  high — 
Gleaming  in  the  lurid  sky — 
Bright  through  vapour,  mist,  and  cloud, 
That  vainly  strive  its  beam  to  shroud, 
Glows  the  monitory  blaze 
Over  wild  and  trackless  ways, 
And  through  mazes  drear  and  dark, 
Guides  the  distant  gliding  bark, 
Till,  beyond  the  horizon's  verge, 
The  all-directing  sun  emerge. 

Silent,  solemn,  stately,  slow — 
Like  the  march  of  pageant  woe, 
Round  and  round  incessant  turning, 
Still  with  kindly  lustre  burning, 
The  faithful  lights,  alternate,  show 
The  kindling  gleam,  the  ardent  glow, 
The  pallid,  soft  receding  ray, 
That  into  darkness  melts  away: 
One  moment,  all  is  lost  in  night : 
The  next — and  all  is  dazzling  bright ! 

Emblem  of  that  Sacred  Word 
Which  with  light  divine  is  stored, 
When  I  view  thy  nightly  glare 
May  I  trace  thy  semblance  there  ! 
That,  supported  on  a  rock, 
Which  nor  storm  nor  time  can  shock, 
Amidst  the  snares  of  error's  night, 
Still  guides  bewildered  travellers  right; 
And,  through  life's  eventful  seas, 
Conducts  them  to  the  port  of  ease. 
Tempests  may  threat  and  waves  assail — 
That  heavenly  beacon  cannot  fail, 
But,  through  the  gloom  with  cheering  ray, 
Foretells  the  dawn  of  endless  day  ! 

RET,  GEORGE  WOODLEY. 


Lilies. 


Lilies  predict  joy  ;  water  lilies  danger  from  the  sea. 
Out  of  season — idle  hopes. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK'S  DREAM  LEXICON. 

THE  Sun  stepped  down  from  his  golden  throne, 

And  lay  in  the  silent  sea. 
And  the  Lily  had  folded  her  satin  leaves, 

For  a  sleepy  thing  was  she : 
What  is  the  Lily  dreaming  of? 

Why  crisp  the  waters  blue? 
See,  see,  she  is  lifting  her  varnished  lid ! 

Her  white  leaves  are  glistening  through ! 

The  Rose  is  cooling  his  burning  cheek 

In  the  lap  of  the  breathless  tide  ; 
The  Lily  hath  sisters  fresh  and  fair, 

That  would  lie  by  the  Rdse's  side ; 
"  Oh  the  Rose  is  old,  and  thorny,  and  cold, 

And  he  lives  on  earth,"  said  she; 
"  But  the  Star  is  fair  and  he  lives  in  the  air, 

And  he  shall  my  bridegroom  be." 

Alas,  for  the  Lily !  she  would  not  heed, 

But  turned  to  the  skies  afar, 
And  bared  her  breast  to  the  trembling  ray 

That  shot  from  the  rising  Star; 

(171) 


172  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

The  cloud  came  over  the  darkened  sky, 

And  over  the  waters  wide, 
She  looked  in  vain  through  the  beating  rain, 

And  sank  in  the  stormy  tide. 

0.  W.  HOLMES. 

I  saw  where  on  a  lakelet's  breast, 

A  sleeping  lily  lay, 
As  rose  the  genial  sun  and  drank 

Its  dew-pearled  robe  away, 
And  woke  it  from  its  dreamy  sleep 

By  rays  sent  warming  by, 
And  as  it  oped  its  night-chilled  lips, 

Stole  thence  a  fragrant  sigh. 

J.  B.  F.  0. 


Love. 

To  dream  of  being  in  love,  forebodes  long  sorrow.  To 
experience  a  return  of  love,  presages  prosperity.  The  love 
of  a  beautiful  lady  is  an  omen  of  mingled  joy  and  woe. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

I  DREAMED  I  lay  beside  the  dark  blue  Rhine, 
In  that  old  tower  where  once  Sir  Roland  dwelt ; 
Methought  his  gentle  lady-love  was  mine, 
And  mine  the  cares  and  pain  which  once  lie  felt. 
Dim,  cloudy  centuries  had  rolled  away, 
E'en  to  that  minstrel  age,  the  olden  time, 
When  Roland's  lady  bid  him  woo  no  more, 
And  he,  aweary,  sought  the  Eastern  clime. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  178 

Methought  that  I,  like  him,  had  wandered  long, 
In  those  strange  lands  of  which  old  legends  tell ; 
Then  home  I  turned  to  my  own  glancing  Rhine, 
And  found  my  lady  in  a  convent  cell ; 
And  I,  like  him,  had  watched  long  years  away, 
And  dwelt  unseen  hard  by  her  convent's  bound, 
In  that  old  tower,  which  yet  stands  pitying 
The  cloister-isle,  enclosed  by  water  round. 

I  long  had  watched — for  in  the  early  morn, 
To  ope  her  lattice,  came  that  lady  oft ; 
And  earnestly  I  gazed — yet  naught  I  saw, 
Save  one  small  hand  and  arm,  white,  fair,  and  soft. 
And  when  at  eve  the  long,  dark  shadows  fell 
O'er  rock  and  valley,  vineyard,  town,  and  tower, 
Again  she  came — again  that  small  white  hand 
Would  close  her  lattice  for  the  vesper  hour. 

I  lingered  still — e'en  when  the  silent  night 

Had  cast  its  sable  mantle  o'er  the  shrine — 

To  see  her  lonely  taper's  softened  light 

Gleam,  far  reflected,  o'er  the  quiet  Rhine ; 

But  most  I  loved  to  see  her  form,  at  times, 

Obscure  those  beams — for  then  her  shade  would  fall — 

And  I  beheld  it,  evenly  portrayed — 

A  living  profile,  on  that  window  small. 

And  thus  I  lived  in  love — though  not  in  hope — 
And  thus  I  watched  that  maiden  many  a  year, 
When,  lo  !  I  saw,  one  morn,  a  funeral  train — 
Alas  !  they  bore  my  lady  to  her  bier ! 
And  she  was  dead — yet  grieved  I  not  therefore, 
For  now  in  Heaven  she  knew  the  love  I  felt. 
Death  cannot  kill  affection,  nor  destroy 
The  holy  peace  wherein  I  long  had  dwelt. 
15*  « 


174  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Oh,  gentle  lady  !  this  was  but  a  dream  ! 
And  in  a  dream  I  bore  all  this  for  thee. 
If  thus  in  sleep  love's  pangs  assail  my  soul, 
Think,  lady,  what  my  waking  hours  must  be. 
The  golden  age  of  chivalry  hath  fled ; 
Its  glory  gone — its  splendour  passed  away. 
Well,  be  it  so  !     Romance  expires  with  Youth ; 
But  Love — true  Spirit  Love — can  ne'er  decay  ! 

C.  G.  LELAND. 

Full  of  passion  and  sorrow  is  he, 
Dreaming  where  the  beloved  one  may  be. 

BAYARD  TAYLOR. 

I  dreamed  of  Love.     I  thought  the  air 
Was  glowing  with  the  smile  of  God — 
An  angel  told  me  all  the  sod 

Was  beauteous  with  answered  prayer. 

I  looked — and  lo  !  the  flowers  were  there. 

ALICE  CAREY. 

V 

And  when  the  step  is  dull  and  slow, 
And  when  the  eye  no  longer  beams 

With  the  glad  hopes  of  years  ago, 

What  purpose  has  the  heart  with  dreams  ? 

Away,  wild  thoughts  of  sorrow's  flood — 
Wild  dreams  of  early  love,  away ! 

In  calm  and  passionless  womanhood, 

Why  come  ye  thronging  back  to-day  ? 

IBID. 

Death  is  a  cool  and  pleasant  night, 
Life  but  a  sultry  day : 
'Tis  growing  dark — I'm  weary ; 

Day  has  tired  me  with  its  light. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  175 

Above  my  bed  a  fair  tree  gleams : 

There  sings  Dame  Nightingale ; 

She  sings  of  naught  save  Love — 
I  hear  it,  even  in  dreams. 

HEINE. 


Madnefs. 

"  To  dream  of  madness  or  insanity,  presages"  says  VON 
GERSTENBERGK,  "for  a  man,  fortune  and  favour  from 
powerful  patrons."  Another  authority  declares  it  to  be 
ominous  of  sorrow  and  affliction. 

A  CHANGE  came  o'er  the  spirit  of  my  dream. 
The  lady  of  his  love ; — Oh  !  she  was  changed, 
As  by  the  sickness  of  the  soul ;  her  mind 
Had  wandered  from  its  dwelling,  and  her  eyes 
They  had  not  their  own  lustre,  but  the  look 
Which  is  not  of  the  earth ;  she  was  become 
The  queen  of  a  fantastic  realm ;  her  thoughts 
Were  combinations  of  disjointed  things ; 
And  forms  impalpable  and  unperceived 
To  others'  sight  familiar  were  to  hers. 
And  this  the  world  calls  phrensy ;  but  the  wise 
Have  a  far  deeper  madness ;  and  the  glance 
Of  melancholy  is  a  fearful  gift ; 
What  is  it  but  the  telescope  of  truth  ? 
Which  strips  the  distance  of  its  phantasies, 

Making  the  cold  reality  too  real. 

THE  DREAM.    BYRON, 


176     '  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Oh !  the  flame 

Burns  low  upon  the  altar,  memory  clasps 
Her  blazoned  missal,  and  the  priest-like  voice 
Of  Reason  dies  in  silence  !     There  are  heard 
No  more  amid  her  aisles  fast  crowding  thoughts ; 
No  more  the  glorious  anthems  of  her  worship  ; 
And  Guido's  soul  is  like  some  dim  cathedral 
That  keeps  with  faint  sweet  light  the  hush  of  prayer 
After  the  prayer  hath  ceased ;  the  breath  of  incense 
Burned  upon  shrines ;  the  solemn,  deep  vibrations 
Of  music  that  falls  trembling  into  silence. 

EDITH  MAY. 

— Pales  from  the  blest  insanity  of  dreams 
That  round  thee  lies. 

ALICE  CAREY, 


Marriage. 


To  dream  of  marrying  a  maiden,  presag'eth  death  to  a 
sick  man,  but  it  is  a  good  omen  for  those  about  to  form 
business  contracts,  marriage  being  in  itself,  a  contract  of 
a  favourable  nature.  To  other  people,  marriage  portends 
strife  and  care,  excepting  those  who  marry  widows  (mulie- 
res  devirginatse).  For  these,  marriage  in  dreams  is  a  sign 
that  they  ivill  be  successful  in  what  they  have  already  under- 
taken. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

If  a  maiden  dream  that  she  attend  another's  wedding, 
it  is  an  omen  of  grief  and  tears,  but  if  she  be  fully  mar- 
ried herself,  her  dearest  wish  will  be  fulfilled. 

NICHOLAUS  VON  KLIHGELBERG. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  177 


Marrying  in  dreams,  shortly  expect  great  changes  and 
events  in  thy  life. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS. 

A  GATHERING  of  fond  friends, 

Brief  solemn  words  and  prayer  ; 
A  trembling  to  the  finger's  ends, 

As  hand  in  hand  they  swear. 
Sweet  cake,  sweet  wine,  sweet  kisses, 

And  so  the  deed  is  done  ! 
Now  for  life's  waves  and  blisses, 

The  wedded  two  are  one. 

ANONYMOUS. 

Break  not  the  slumbers  of  the  bride, 
But  let  the  sun  in  triumph  ride, 

Scattering  his  beamy  light ; 
When  she  awakes,  he  shall  resign 
His  rays,  and  she  alone  shall  shine 

In  glory  all  the  night. 
Yet  gently  whisper  as  she  lies, 
And  say  her  lord  waits  her  uprise, 

The  priests  at  the  altar  stay ; 
"With  flowery  wreaths,  the  virgin  crew 
Attend,  while  some  with  roses  strew, 

And  myrtles  trim  the  way. 
Now  to  the  temple  and  the  priest, 
See  her  conveyed,  thence  to  the  feast. 

CAREW,  Ob.  1639. 


Merrymaking — Festival . 

To  dream  of  being  in  strange  beautiful  places ,  or  amid 
scenes  of  mirth  and  merriment,  is  a  most  favourable  omen, 

especially  if  you  take  no  part  in  the  festivities. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

AND  in  my  thoughts  as  I  lay, 

In  a  lodge  out  of  the  way, 

Beside  a  well  in  a  forest, 

Where  after  hunting  I  took  rest, 

I  gan  to  dreame  to  my  thinking, 

With  mind  of  knowliche  like  making : — 

Within  an  yle  methought  I  was, 
Where  wall  and  yate  was  all  of  glasse 
Uncouth  and  straunge  to  behold, 
For  euery  yate  of  fine  gold, 
A  thousand  fanes,  aie  turning, 
Entuned  had,  and  birdes  singing, 
Divers,  and  on  each  fane  a  paire, 
With  open  mouth  again  thaire, 
And  of  a  sute  were  all  the  toures, 
Subtily  corven  after  floures, 
Of  uncouth  colours  during  aye, 
That  neuer  been  none  seene  in  May, 
With  many  a  small  turret  hie, 
But  man  on  live  could  I  non  sie, 
Ne  creatures,  save  ladies  play, 
Which  were  such  of  theyr  array, 

(178) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  179 


That  as  methought  of  goodlihead, 
They  passeden  all,  and  womanhead, 
For  to  behold  them  daunce  and  sing, 
It  seemed  like  none  earthly  thing. 

CHAUCER'S  DREAME. 


Mill. 


To  dream  of  a  mill,  implies  the  conclusion  and  settle- 
ment of  ambiguous  and  troublesome  affairs,  or  presages 
fidelity  on  the  part  of  a  servant. 

ARTEMIDORUS,  lib.  2,  c.  47. 

I  LOVED  the  brimming  wave  that  swam 
Thro'  quiet  meadows  round  the  mill, 
The  sleepy  pool  above  the  dam, 
The  pool  beneath  it  never  still, 
The  meal-sacks  on  the  whitened  floor, 
The  dark  round  of  the  dripping  wheel, 
The  very  air  about  the  door 

Made  misty  by  the  floating  meal. 

TENNYSON. 

I  dreamt  last  night  a  dream  of  home, 

I  dreamt  I  stood  beside  the  mill, 
And  saw  the  waters  dance  and  foam, 

While  the  old  wheel  was  whirling  still — 

For  every  turn  that  wheel  hath  made, 

A  minute  of  my  life  hath  sped  ; 
The  wheel's  the  same — but  I'm  afraid 

That  time  hath  changed  me,  heart  and  head. 


180  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


Yet  peace  hath  come  with  many  years, 

To  me,  if  not  unto  the  mill ; 
For  I  have  lived  away  my  fears. 

So,  let  the  wheel  go  whirling  still ! 

ANONYMOUS. 


Mirror. 

He  who  dreams  of  finding  a  mirror  and  of  beholding 
himself  therein,  will  soon  find  a  brother  or  a  friend.  If 
he  break  a  mirror,  he  will  destroy  some  evil  or  infamous 
report  relative  to  another.  But  if  lie  dream  of  finding  a 
spotted  or  stained  mirror,  it  presageth  disgrace  to  his 
brother  or  friend. 

ACHMET  SEIRIM. 

To  dream  of  standing  before  a  mirror  and  of  beholding 
oneself  therein,  is  a  most  favourable  omen  for  both  men  and 
women  who  propose  marrying. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

IN  my  sleepe  dreaming, 
I  saw  a  gleaming, 

As  of  a  lost  starre  shining  on  the  grounde ; 
And  stealing  to  it, 
Lest  I  might  rue  it, 

A  silver  mirrour  in  the  grasse  I  founde. 

Yet  in  the  mirrour, 
By  some  strange  errour, 

My  bearded  face  could  I  by  no  chance  see : 
'Twas  thy  face  onlie 
Which  lived  there  lonelie, 

And  gazed,  as  if  from  windowe,  out  on  me. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  181 


And  from  my  dreame,  love, 
It  thus  doth  seeme,  love. 

That  I,  deare  hearte,  reflected  am  in  thee : 
And  thus  discover 
That  I,  thy  lover, 

Have  ever  beene,  and  ever  yet  will  be. 

C.  Gr.  LELAND. 


Money. 


To  see  money  in  dreams,  is  a  sign  that  you  will  hear 
good  news  from  home,  or  from  some  distant  town.  To 
dream  of  finding  money,  presages  a  happy  married  life  to 
the  young,  but  quarrels  and  affliction  to  the  old.  To  count 
money,  indicates  that  unforeseen  expenses  are  hanging  over 
you;  while  to  make  it,  betokens  danger,  sorrow,  and  afflic- 
tion. 

DAS  REICHHALTIGE  TRAUM-BUCH. 


MONEY,  money,  now  haye,  goode  day ! 

Money,  where  hast  thou  be  ? 
Money,  money,  thow  goste  away 

And  wylt  not  byde  wyth  me  ! 

Above  all  thynge  thow  art  a  kyng, 
And  rulyst  the  worlde  over  all ; 
Who  lacketh  thee,  all  joy,  pard£, 
Wyll  soon  then  from  hym  fall. 
16 


182  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Where  indeede,  so  God  me  spede, 

Say  all  men  what  theye  can ; 
Yt  ys  always  seen  nowe-a-dayes 

That  money  makyth  the  man. 

YE  BALLAD  OF  MONEY. 


MONEY  goes, 
No  one  knows ; 
Where  it  goeth 
No  one  showeth. 
Here  and  there, 
Every  where, 
Run,  run, 
Dun,  dun, 
Spend,  spend, 
Lend,  lend, 
Send,  send. 
Flush  to-day, 

Short  to-morrow, 
Notes  to  pay, 

Borrow,  borrow. 
So  it  goes, 
No  one  knows, 
Where  it  goeth 
No  one  showeth. 

ANONYMOUS. 


Monfters  and  Terrible  Apparitions. 

To  dream  of  monsters  and  terrifying  sights  (other  than 
the  Nightmare),  denotes  imminent  danger. 

FRANCESCO  MANCINI. 

THE  heav'ns  that  in  eternall  booke  do  keepe 
The  register  for  life  or  deathes  decree, 
By  vision  strange  did  shew  to  me  in  sleepe, 
That  next  daies  cheerful  light  the  last  should  be, 
That  in  this  world  I  evermore  should  see : 
As  in  my  tent,  on  bed,  I  slumbring  lie, 
Horrid  aspects  appeared  unto  mine  eye. 

I  thought  that  all  those  murthered  ghosts,  whom  I, 
By  death  had  sent  to  their  untimely  grave, 
With  balefull  noise  about  my  tent  did  crie, 
And  of  the  heavens  with  sad  complaint  did  crave, 
That  they  on  guiltie  wretch  might  vengeance  have : 
To  whom  I  thought  the  Judge  of  Heav'n  gave  eare, 
And  'gainst  me  gave  a  judgment  full  of  feare. 

For  loe,  eftsoones,  a  thousand  hellish  hags, 

Leaving  th'  abode  of  their  infernall  cell, 

Seasing  on  me,  my  hatefull  bodie  drags 

From  forth  my  bed,  into  a  place  like  hell,  . 

Where  feends  did  nought  but  bellow,  howle,  and  yell, 
Who  in  sterne  strife  stood  'gainst  each  other  bent, 
Who  should  my  hatefull  bodie  most  torment. 

Niccoi/s  WINTER  NIGHT'S  VISION.     RICHARD  THE  THIRD. 

'Wildered  and  tossing  through  distempered  dreams. 

THOMSON. 
(183) 


Moonlight. 

Moonlight  on  the  water  is  a  most  favourable  dream  for 
lovers.  To  dream  of  the  full  moon  is  a  fortunate  omen, 
especially  for  young  wives. 

FRANCESCO  MANCINI. 

THE  vision  fled, 
The  wind  arose, 
The  clouds  were  rent, 
They  were  drifted  and  scattered  abroad ; 

And  as  I  looked  and  saw 
Where,  through  the  clear,  blue  sky,  the  silver  moon 

Moved  in  the  light  serene, 
A  healing  influence  reached  my  heart, 

And  I  felt  in  my  soul 
That  the  voice  of  the  angel  was  heard. 

SOUTHEY. 

I  dreamed  that  I  saw  the  new  moon  rise, 

Over  my  shoulder  I  gazed  upon  her : 
I  made  a  wish  as  she  met  my  eyes, 

And  I'll  tell  you  it  truly — I  will,  on  my  honour ! 

I  did  not  wish  for  silver  or  gold, 

(Though  I  might  have  had  them,)  or  diamond  or  pearl, 
But  I  wished  that  I  might  in  a  love-clasp  hold 

Ere  long  to  my  bosom,  my  own  dear  girl. 

(184) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  185 


Full  moon,  high  sea, 
Great  man  shalt  thou  be. 
Red  dawning,  stormy  sky, 
Bloody  death  shalt  thou  die. 

OLD  ENGLISH  PROVERB. 

He  sleepeth  well,  and  his  dream  is  bright, 
Under  the  moonbeams,  chilly  and  white. 

ALICE  CAREY. 


Morning  Star. 


To  dream  of  the  Morning  or  Evening  Star,  shining 
clear  and  full,  presages  strange  adventures. 

AT  night,  methought  in  dream 
A  shape  of  speechless  beauty  did  appear ; 
It  stood  like  light  on  a  careering  stream 
Of  golden  clouds  which  shook  the  atmosphere  ; 
A  winged  youth — his  radiant  brotv  did  wear 
The  Morning  Star : — a  wild  dissolving  bliss 
Over  my  frame  he  breathed  ;  approaching  near, 
And  bent  his  eyes  of  kindling  tenderness 
Near  mine,  and  on  my  lips  impressed  a  lingering  kiss. 

And  said :  "  A  Spirit  loves  thee,  mortal  maiden  ; 
How  wilt  thou  prove  thy  worth  ?"     Then  joy  and  sleep 
Together  fled  ;  my  soul  was  deeply  laden, 
And  to  the  shore  I  went  to  muse  and  weep ; 
But  as  I  moved,  over  my  heart  did  creep 
A  joy  less  soft,  but  more  profound  and  strong 
Than  my  sweet  dream ;  and  it  forbade  to  keep 
16* 


136  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

The  path  of  the  sea  shore ;  and  that  Spirit's  tongue 
Seemed  whispering  in  my  heart,  and  bore  my  steps  along. 

SHELLEY. 

The  murmur  of  a  neighbouring  stream 

Induced  a  soft  and  slumbrous  dream, 

A  pregnant  dream,  within  whose  shadowy  bounds 

He  recognised  the  earth-born  Star, 

And  that  which  glittered  from  afar ; 

And  (strange  to  witness  !)  from  the  frame 

Of  the  ethereal  orb,  there  came 

Intelligible  sounds. 

WORDSWORTH. 


Multitude. 

To  dream  of  a  multitude  or  throng  of  people  hurrying 
to  and  fro,  betokens,  to  a  woman,  that  she  will  shortly  receive 
an  unexpected  favour  from  a  man,  and  vice  versa. 

As  in  that  trance  of  wondrous  thought  I  lay, 
This  was  the  tenor  of  my  waking  dream : — 
Methought  I  sate  beside  a  public  way 

Thick  strewn  with  summer  dust,  and  a  great  stream 
Of  people  there  was  hurrying  to  and  fro, 
Numerous  as  gnats  upon  the  evening  gleam, 

All  hastening  onward,  yet  none  seemed  to  know 
Whither  he  went,  or  whence  he  came,  or  why 
He  made  one  of  the  multitude ;  and  so 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  187 

Was  borne  amid  the  crowd,  as  through  the  sky 
One  of  the  million  leaves  of  summer's  bier ; 
Old  age  and  youth,  manhood  and  infancy, 

Mixed  in  one  mighty  torrent,  did  appear — 
Some  flying  from  the  thing  they  feared,  and  some 
Seeking  the  object  of  another's  fear. 

SHELLEY. 

Across  the  plain  innumerable  crowds, 

Like  me,  were  on  their  destined  journey  bent, 

Towards  the  land  of  shadows  and  of  clouds : 

One  pace  they  travelled,  to  one  point  they  went ; — 

A  motley  multitude  of  old  and  young, 

Men  of  all  climes  and  hues,  and  every  tongue. 

THE  VISION.    SOUTHEY. 


Murder. 

To  dream  of  committing  murder,  presages  suffering  and 
oppression. 

'  REICHHALTIGES  TRAUM  BUCH. 

"  AND  well,"  quoth  he,  "I  know  for  truth, 

Their  pangs  must  be  extreme  ; — 
Wo,  wo,  unutterable  wo — 

Who  spill  life's  sacred  stream ! 
For  why  ?     Methought,  last  night,  I  wrought 
A  murder  in  my  dream  ! 


188  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

"  One  that  had  never  done  me  wrong, 

A  feeble  man  and  old : 
I  led  him  to  a  lonely  field, 

The  moon  shone  clear  and  cold. 
'Now  here,'  said  I,  <  this  man  shall  die, 

And  I  will  have  his  gold !' 

"  Two  sudden  blows  with  a  ragged  stick, 

And  one  with  a  heavy  stone, 
One  hurried  gash  with  a  hasty  knife, 

And  then  the  deed  was  done. 
There  was  nothing  lying  at  my  foot, 

But  lifeless  flesh  and  bone. 

"  Nothing  but  lifeless  flesh  and  bone, 

That  could  not  do  me  ill ; 
And  yet  I  feared  him  all  the  more, 

For  lying  there  so  still ; 
There  was  a  manhood  in  his  look, 

That  murder  could  not  kill !" 

THE  DREAM  OF  EUGENE  ARAM.     By  THOMAS  HOOD. 


Music. 

Who  heareth  music  in  dreams,  shall  receive  a  joyful 
summons. 

ACHMET,  e.  254. 

WHAT  gentle  music  wakens  me. 

And  murmurs  in  my  ear  ? 
Oh,  mother,  see  !     Who  can  it  be. 

At  this  late  hour  so  near  ? 

I  hear  no  sound,  no  form  I  see ; 

Sink  to  thy  rest  so  mild ; 
No  serenade  comes  now  to  thee, 

Thou  poor  and  sickly  child. 

It  was  no  music  born  of  earth, 

That  made  my  heart  so  light ; 
Oh,  mother,  'twas  the  angels'  song 

That  summoned  me — good  night ! 

UHLANB. 

There  are  tones  that  will  haunt  us,  though  lonely 

Our  path  be  o'er  mountain  or  sea ; 
There  are  looks  that  will  part  from  us  only 

When  memory  ceases  to  be ; 
There  are  hopes  which  our  burden  can  lighten, 

Though  toilsome  and  steep  be  the  way ; 
And  dreams  that,  like  moonlight,  can  brighten 

With  a  light  that  is  clearer  than  day.  - 

(189) 


190  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


Like  the  faint,  exquisite  music  of  a  dream. 

MOORE. 


A  damsel  with  a  dulcimer, 

In  a  vision  once  I  saw ; 
It  was  an  Abyssinian  maid, 

And  on  her  dulcimer  she  played 
Singing  of  Mount  Abora. 

COLERIDGE'S  Dream  Poem. 

Breathed  into  a  pipe  of  sycamore 

Some  strangely  moving  notes ;  and  these,  he  said, 
Were  taught  him  in  a  dream. 

COLERIDGE.     Remorse. 


Myrtle. 


To  dream  of  myrtle,  is  a  most  favourable  sign  for  lovers, 
especially  to  ladies.  And  it  is  a  good  omen  for  agricultu- 
rists, since  it  is  sacred  both  to  Ceres  and  Venus. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

MY  senses  one  by  one  gave  place  to  sleep, 

Who,  followed  by  a  troop  of  golden  slumbers, 

Thrust  from  my  quiet  brain  all  base  encumbers, 

And  thrice  me  touching  with  a  rod  of  gold 

A  heaven  of  visions  in  my  temples  rolled  ; 

And  while  I  dreaming  lay,  0  lovely  wonder  ! 

I  saw  a  pleasant  MYRTLE  cleave  asunder ; 

A  myrtle  great  with  birth,  from  whose  rent  womb 

Three  naked  nymphs  more  white  than  snow,  forth  come, 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  191 

For  nymphs  they  seemed  ;  about  their  heavenly  faces 
In  waves  of  gold  floated  their  curling  tresses ; 
About  their  arms,  their  arms  more  white  than  milk, 
They  blushing  armlets  wore  of  crimson  silk.     *     * 
All  three  were  fair,  yet  one  excelled  as  far 
The  rest,  as  Phoebus  doth  the  Cyprian  star, 
Or  diamonds  small  gems,  or  gems  do  other, 
Or  pearls  that  shining  shell  is  called  their  mother. 
Her  hair,  more  bright  than  are  the  morning's  beams, 
Hung  in  a  golden  shower  above  the  streams, 
And  dangling  sought  her  forehead  for  to  cover, 
Which  seen,  did  straight  a  sky  of  milk  discover, 
With  two  fair  brows,  love's  bows  which  never  bend 
But  that  a  golden  arrow  forth  they  send  ; 
Beneath  the  which  two  burning  planets  glancing 
Flashed  flames  of  love,  for  love  there  still  is  dancing. 
Her  either  neck  resembled  blushing  morn, 
Or  roses  gules  in  fields  of  lilies  borne.     *     *     * 
The  rest  the  stream  did  hide,  but  as  a  lily 
Sunk  in  a  crystal — 

DRUMMOND  OF  HAWTHORNDEN. 


Night  and  Day. 

To  dream  of  nights  and  days  following  each  other  in 
regular  succession,  denotes  a  life  greatly  diversified  by  alter- 
nate happme%»  and  misery. 

JOHANNES  PR^ETORIUS. 

ONCE  more  the  voice 

Of  dreams  went  out,  before  ine  as  a  wind, 
And  drew  my  weeping  soul.     Night  came  and  went, 


192  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

And  days  fled  swiftly  on  the  rolling  wheels 
Of  golden  suns ;  and  seasons,  like  swift  steeds, 
Burdened  with  wealth,  and  driven  by  ancient  Time, 
Rushed  past  my  sight — and  vanished. 

On,  and  on 

My  soul  moved  trembling  through  the  depths  of  space, 
Cherubim  brushed  it  with  their  snowy  wings, 
And  radiant  angels  of  the  mercy-seat 
Breathed  Eden's  odours  as  they  earthward  passed, 
Drying  its  tears  with  their  celestial  smiles. 
On  through  the  depths  of  space — a  million  worlds, 
Dazzling  in  hazy  glories,  crossed  my  sight ; 
Myriads  of  stars  stretched  gleaming  from  my  gaze, 
And  countless  suns  in  bright  effulgence  burned. 

AUGUSTINE  DUGANNE. 

The  crimson  of  the  maple  trees 
Is  lighted  by  the  moon's  soft  glow ; 

Oh  !  nights  like  this  and  things  like  these 
Bring  back  a  dream  of  long  ago. 

ALICE  CAREY. 

Night  is  the  time  for  dreams ; 

The  gay  romance  of  life, 
.      When  truth  that  is,  and  truth  that  seems. 
Blend  in  fantastic  strife  ; 
Ah  !  visions  less  beguiling  far 

Than  waking  dreams  by  daylight  are ! 

MONTGOMERY. 


Nightingale. 

To  hear  a  nightingale  sing,  is  an  omen  of  pleasant  news. 

I  KNOW  a  lovely  maiden, 

Would  God  that  she  were  mine  : 

Of  milk-white  pearls  and  yellow  gold 
She  wears  a  garland  fine. 

Of  gleaming  pearl  and  yellow  gold 

She  wears  a  garland  gay ; 
She  led  me  with  her  snow-white  hand 

To  a  merry  dance  away. 

And  when  afar  in  foreign  lands 

I  lay  beneath  a  tree, 
And  dreamed  I  heard  my  own  dear  love 

Call  out  so  loud  to  me. 

And  as  I  woke  and  gazed  around, 

The  dream  had  passed  away  ; 
I  only  heard  Dame  Nightingale, 

Who  sang  upon  the  spray. 

"  Arise  thou,  good  companion, 

And  ride  through  wood  and  grove, 
Or  thou  wilt  find  that  thy  sweetheart 

Has  ta'en  another  love." 
17  (193) 


194  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

I  tarried  not,  I  waited  not, 
But  rode  o'er  rock  and  wold ; 

And  heard  the  wild  birds  sing  around, 
The  young  birds  and  the  old. 

I  tarried  not — I  waited  not, 

Till  I  my  dearest  found ; 
"  Ah,  how  couldst  thou  forget  the  love 

To  whom  thy  heart  was  bound  ?" 

"  Ah,  how  could  I  forget  thee  ? 

Bright  diamond  that  thou  art ! 
Whom  I  have  worn  enshrined 

So  long  within  my  heart  ?" 

GERMAN  BALLAD.     Translated  by  CHARLES  G.  LELAND. 


Nightmare. 

An  oppressive  silent  nightmare  presages  evil.  But  if 
you  dream  of  questioning  the  apparition,  note  well  what  it 
replies,  for  its  words  are  truly  prophetic.^  If  it  approach 
you  as  Incubus  or  Succubus,  it  predicts  that  something 
greatly  to  your  advantage  will  soon  occur. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

AND  they  are  gone :  ay,  ages  long  ago, 
These  lovers  fled  away  into  the  storm. 

That  night  the  baron  dreamt  of  many  a  wo, 
And  all  his  warrior  guests,  with  shade  and  form 
Of  witch,  and  demon,  and  large  coffin-worm, 

Were  long  be-nightmared. 

KEATS. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  195 

St.  Withold  footed  thrice  the  wold, 

He  met  the  nightmare  and  her  nine  fold  ; 

Bid  her  alight, 

And  her  troth  plight, 
And  aroint  thee,  witch,  aroint  thee  ! 

KING  LEAR. 

On  Hallow-Mass  Eve,  ere  ye  bonne  ye  to  rest, 
Ever  beware  that  your  couch  be  blessed ; 
Sign  it  with  cross,  and  sain  it  with  bead, 
Sing  the  Ave,  and  say  the  Creed. 

For  on  Hallow-Mass  Eve  the  Night-Hag  will  ride, 
And  all  her  nine  fold  sweeping  on  by  her  side, 
Whether  the  wind  sing  lowly  or  loud, 
Sailing  through  moonshine  or  swathed  in  the  cloud. 

SCOTT. 


Nun. 

To  dream  of  seeing  a  nun,  is  a  sure  sign  that  you  will 
lose  some  one  whom  you  dearly  love. 

DAS  REICHHALTIGES  TRAUM  BUCH. 

I  STOOD  upon  a  mountain, 

I  gazed  down  on  the  Rhine, 
A  ship  with  knights  came  sailing ; 

— They  drank  the  cold  red  wine. 

The  youngest  of  the  nobles 

Upraised  his  Roman  glass  ; 
"  I  fill  to  thee,  my  fairest ! 

To  thee  the  wine  must  pass  !" 


196  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

"  What  sign  is  this  thou  givest  ? 

Why  off 'rest  thou  such  wine  ? 
Now  I  must  seek  the  cloister, 

A  nun's  sad  life  be  mine !" 

And  when  the  midnight  sounded, 
Asleep  the  young  knight  lay, 

And  dreamed  that  to  a  cloister 
His  love  had  passed  away. 

"Awake,  my  page,  awake  thee !" 

In  fear  the  noble  cried, 
"  For  we  must  hasten  onward ; 

The  road  is  worth  the  ride." 

"  Now,  halt  before  the  cloister, 

And  let  her  summoned  be  !" 
Out  came  the  eldest  sister — 

"  Bring  forth  my  love  to  me  !" 

"  No  love  comes  in  our  cloister ; 

No  love  can  hence  return !" 
"And,  if  I  may  not  see  her, 

Your  cloister  home  I'll  burn  !" 

' 

Pale  as  her  snow-white  garment, 
His  love  came  from  her  cell ; 

"  They've  shorn  away  my  tresses ; 
For  ever  fare  thee  well !" 

He  sat  before  the  cloister, 

The  glass  in  pieces  flew ; 
He  gazed  adown  the  valley ; 

— His  heart  was  broken  too. 

Translated  from  the  German,  ly  C.  G.  LELAND. 


Nymphs. 

To  dream  of  water-nymphs  or  Undines,  presages  plea- 
sure, with  a  melancholy  end. 

And  the  much  softness  lulled  me  asleep, 

When  in  a  vision  as  it  seemed  to  me, 
Triumphal  music  from  the  flood  arose, 
As  when  the  sovereign  we  embarked  see, 
And  by  fair  London  for  his  pleasure  rows, 
Whose  tender  welcome  the  glad  city  shows : 
The  people  swarming  on  the  pestered  shores, 
And  the  curled  waters  overspread  with  oars. 
A  troop  of  nymphs  came  suddenly  on  land, 
In  the  full  end  of  this  triumphal  sound, 
And  me  incompassed,  taking  hand  in  hand, 
Casting  themselves  about  me  in  a  round, 
And  so  down  set  them  on  the  easy  ground, 
Bending  their  clear  eyes  with  a  modest  grace, 
Upon  my  swart  and  melancholy  face. 


DRAYTON. 


Alas,  the  moon  should  ever  beam 
To  show  what  man  should  never  see ! 

I  saw  a  maiden  on  a  stream, 
And  fair  was  she  ! 

I  stayed  awhile  to  see  her  throw 
Her  tresses  back,  that  all  beset 

The  fair  horizon  of  her  brow 

With  clouds  of  jet. 
17  *  (197) 


m 

198  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

I  stayed  a  little  while  to  view 

Her  cheek,  that  wore,  in  place  of  red, 

The  bloom  of  water,  tender  blue, 
Daintily  spread. 

I  stayed  to  watch  a  little  space, 
The  parted  lips,  if  she  would  sing ; 

The  waters  closed  above  her  face, 
With  many  a  ring. 

And  still  I  stayed  a  little  more ; 

Alas  !  she  never  comes  again. 
I  throw  my  flowers  from  the  shore, 

And  watch  in  vain. 

I  know  my  life  will  fade  away; 

I  know  that  I  must  vainly  pine, 
For  I  am  made  of  mortal  clay, 

But  she's  divine. 

HOOD. 


Oak. 

To  dream  of  an  oak-tree,  presages  great  wealth  and  a 
long  life. 

ARTEMIDORUS,  lib.  2,  c.  25. 

BENEATH  an  ancient  oak  he  lay ; 
More  years  than  man  can  count,  they  say, 
On  the  verge  of  the  dim  and  solemn  wood, 
Through  sunshine  and  storm,  that  oak  had  stood. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  199 

That  night  the  minstrel  laid  him  down 
Ere  his  brow  relaxed  its  sullen  fro^n  ; 
And  slumber  had  bound  its  eyelids  fast, 
Ere  the  evil  wish  from  his  soul  had  passed. 
And  a  song  on  the  sleeper's  ear  descended, 

A  song  it  was  pain  to  hear  and  pleasure, 
So  strangely  wrath  and  love  were  blended 

In  every  tone  of  the  mystic  measure. 

"  I  know  thee,  child  of  earth ; 

The  morning  of  thy  birth, 
In  through  the  lattice  did  my  chariot  glide ; 

I  saw  thy  father  weep 

Over  thy  first  wild  sleep, 
I  rocked  thy  cradle  when  thy  mother  died. 

J  bind  thee  in  the  snare 

Of  thine  unholy  prayer ; 
I  seal  thy  forehead  with  a  viewless  seal : 

I  give  into  thy  hand 

The  buckler  and  the  brand, 
And  clasp  the  golden  spur  upon  thy  heel. 

When  thou  hast  made  thee  wise 

In  the  sad  lore  of  sighs, 
When  the  world's  visions  fail  thee  and  forsake, 

Keturn,  return  to  me, 

And  to  my  Haunted  Tree ; 

The  charm  hath  bound  thee  now ; — sir  knight,  awake !" 
LEGEND  OP  THE  HAUNTED  OAK.    PBAEJ>. 


Old  Age. 

To  dream  that  you  are  aged,  says  NICEPHORUS,  betokens 
that  you  will  soon  receive  money.  To  see  old  people,  pre- 
sages that  you  will  ere  long  associate  with  the  young,  and 
vice  versa. 

ON  yonder  mountain  far  away, 

There  groweth  high  the  mournful  rue ; 
And  there  in  sleep  I  lay. 

And  as  my  sleep  went  calmly  by, 
A  lovely  dream  around  me  flew, 
All  on  the  mountain  high. 

And  in  my  dream,  so  soft  and  sweet, 

A  pretty  maid  in  garment  gay 

Was  standing  by  my  feet. 

And  when  from  out  my  dream  I  woke, 
An  ugly  wife  both  old  and  gray 
Stood  near  with  grin  and  joke. 

If  old  wives  could  for  young  be  given, 
I'd  let  them  go,  with  gown  and  hood, 
Though  it  were  one  for  seven. 

I'd  cheat  some  youth  ere  long  with  mine, 
And  give  to  boot  a  dinner  good, 
Therewith  a  flask  of  wine. 

UHLAND,  VOLKSLIEDER,  p.  750. 
Translated  by  C.  G.  LELA.ND. 
(200) 


Owl. 

To  see  an  owl  in  dreams,  presages  some  good  fortune  of 
a  singular  and  eccentric  character ;  but  to  hear  their  cry, 
betokens  sorrow,  affliction,  and  death. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

GRIM  night  on  th'  earth  did  frowne, 
And  I  in  carefull  bed  had  laid  me  downe, 
Where  for  musitian  that  with  sweetest  breath, 
Had  wont  to  lull  my  watchful  sense  asleepe  : 
The  ghastly  OWLE,  the  fatall  bird  of  Death, 
That  on  my  chamber  walles  her  inne  did  keepe, 
In  my  poore  trembling  heart  impressed  deepe 
The  feare  of  death,  with  her  too  deadly  note 
Which  oft  she  shriked  through  her  balefull  throte. 

A  WINTER  NIGHT'S  VISION.    RICHARD  NICCOLS,  A.D.  1610. 

Bishop  Bruno  awoke  in  the  dead  midnight, 
And  he  heard  his  heart  beat  loud  with  affright ; 
He  dreamt  he  had  rung  the  palace  bell, 
And  the  sound  it  gave  was  his  passing  knell. 

s 

Bishop  Bruno  smiled  at  his  fears  so  vain ; 
He  turned  to  sleep,  and  he  dreamt  again ; 
He  rang  at  the  palace  gate  once  more, 
And  Death  was  the  porter  that  opened  the  door. 

He  started  up  at  the  fearful  dream, 

And  he  heard  at  his  window  the  screech-owl  scream. 

Bishop  Bruno  slept  no  more  that  night, — 

Oh !  glad  was  he  when  he  saw  the  daylight. 

SOUTHEY. 

(201) 


Painting. 

To  dream  of  painting,  presages   success   in   love  and 
prosperity  in  life. 

THERE  lived  a  pious  painter  long  ago  in  fair  Cologne, 
Often  in  his  blessed  moments  have  the  angels  round  him 

flown, 
Until  grateful  for  the  visions,  which  like  blessings  o'er  him 

fall, 
He  hath  vowed  to  paint  the  Virgin  on  the  holy  chapel  wall. 

Night  and  day  the  painter  laboured,  but  could  never  e'en 

begin 
To  express  the  high  conception  which  his  soul  had  formed 

within : 
Till,  with  work  and  waiting  weary,  soft  the  artist  sinks  to 

sleep, 
And  again  the  loveliest  visions  in  a  dream  around  him 

sweep. 

Angels  twain  have  seized  his  palette,  and  the  one  begins  to 

paint 

On  the  wall,  a  wondrous  picture  of  the  blessed  Mary-Saint. 
Then  in  turn  the  brother  labours,  and  thus  working,  one 

by  one, 
Soon  they  cease,  and  smile  contented — lo  !  the  lovely  form 

is  done ! 

(202) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  203 

Lo !  the  lovely  form  is  finished,  and  the  angels  sweetly 

sing, 
"  Give  to  God  alone  the  glory  !"  and  ascend  on  gleaming 

wing. 
"Yea;  to  God  be  all  the  glory!"  answering,  the  jainter 

spoke. 
Lo  !  before  him  stood  the  picture — angel-painted — when 

he  woke ! 

Translated  from  the  German  of  SIMROCK,  by  C.  G.  LELAND. 


Pearls. 

Margaritse  significant  lachrymarum  flumen — Pearls  sig- 
nify a  torrent  of  tears. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS. 

— SEEST  thou  on  her  dishevelled  hairs 

Fair  pearls  in  order  set  ? 
Believe,  young  man,  all  those  were  tears 

By  wretched  wooers  sent, 
In  mournful  hyacinth  and  rue, 

That  figure  discontent ; 
Which,  when  not  warmed  by  her  view, 
By  cold  neglect,  each  one 
Congealed  to  pearl  and  stone ; 
Which  precious  spoils  upon  her, 
She  wears  as  trophies  of  her  honour. 
Ah,  then  consider  what  all  this  implies ; 
She  that  will  wear  thy  tears  would  wear  thine  eyes. 

HERRICK. 

See  these  pearls,  that  long  have  slept ; 
These  were  tears  by  naiads  wept 


204  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

For  the  loss  of  Marinel. 
Tritons  in  the  silver  shell 
Treasured  them,  till  hard  and  white 
As  the  teeth  of  Amphitrite. 

The  Bridal  of  Triermain.     SCOTT. 


Perfumes. 

To  dream  of  perfumes,  indicates  great  fortune  in  friend- 
snip,  especially  if  the  odours  seem  to  rise  around  you  in 
light  vapours,  as  from  a  censer. 

JOHANNES  PR^ETORIUS. 

To  inhale  perfumes,  presages  wealth,  advantages,  honour, 
and  celebrity. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

ONE  kiss  the  maiden  gives,  one  last 
Long  kiss,  which  she  expires  in  giving. 
"  Sleep !"  said  the  PERI,  as  softly  she  stole 
The  farewell  sigh  of  that  vanishing  soul, 
As  true  as  e'er  warmed  a  woman's  breast ; 
Sleep  on,  in  visions  of  odour  rest, 
In  balmier  airs  than  ever  yet  stirred 
The  enchanted  pile  of  that  holy  bird, 
Who  sings  at  the  last  his  own  death-lay, 
And  in  music  and  perfume  dies  away. 

MOORE. 

— And  sleep  and  wake  in  scented  airs, 

No  lip  had  ever  breathed  but  theirs. 

IB  IP. 


Phantoms — Apparitions. 

To  dream  of  phantoms  flitting  silently  around,  forebodes 
evil. 

VON  GrERSTENBERGK. 

WE  meet  as  men  see  phantoms  in  a  dream, 
Which  glide  and  sigh,  and  sign,  and  move  their  lips, 
But  make  no  sound ;  or,  if  they  utter  voice, 
"Tis  but  a  low  and  undistinguished  moaning, 
Which  has  nor  word  nor  sense  of  uttered  sound. 

SCOTT. 

They  shall  be  told.     Ere  Babylon  was  dust, 
The  Magus  Zoroaster,  my  dead  child, 
Met  his  own  image  walking  in  the  garden. 
That  apparition,  sole  of  men,  he  saw. 
For  know,  there  are  two  worlds  of  life  and  death : 
One,  that  which  thou  beholdest;  but  the  other 
Is  underneath  the  grave,  where  do  inhabit 
The  shadows  of  all  forms  that  think  and  live 
Till  death  unite  them  and  they  part  no  more ; 
Dreams  and  the  light  imaginings  of  men, 
And  all  that  faith  creates  or  love  desires 
Terrible,  strange,  sublime,  and  beauteous  shapes. 
There  thou  art,  and  dost  hang,  a  writhing  shade, 
'Mid  whirlwind-peopled  mountains ;  all  the  gods 
Are  there,  and  all  the  powers  of  nameless  worlds, 
Vast  sceptred  phantoms ;  heroes,  men,  and  beasts ; 
And  Demogorgon,  a  tremendous  gloom. 

SHELLEY, 
18  (205) 


206  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

The  vision  that  before  her  shone, 
Through  all  the  maze  of  blood  and  storm, 
Is  fled — 'twas  but  a  phantom-form — 
One  of  those  passing,  rainbow  dreams, 
Half  light,  half  shade,  which  Fancy's  beams 
Paint  on  the  fleeting  mists  that  roll 

In  trance  or  slumber  round  the  soul. 

MOORE. 


Pictures — Portraits. 

To  dream  of  pictures  or  portraits,  presages,  according  to 
VON  GERSTENBERGK,  unexpected  pleasure,  delight,  or  a 
new  friend.  Other  writers  declare  that  this  dream  denotes 
disappointment.  These  predictions,  are  appropriate  to  all 
inanimate  figures  or  images. 

— THERE  in  close  covert  by  some  brook, 
Where  no  profaner  eye  may  look, 
Hide  me  from  day's  garish  eye, 
While  the  bee  with  honied  thigh, 
That  at  her  flowery  work  doth  sing, 
And  the  waters  murmuring, 
With  such  consort  as  they  keep, 
Entice  the  dewy-feathered  Sleep ; 
And  let  some  strange,  mysterious  dream 
Wave  at  his  wings  in  airy  stream 
Of  lively  portraiture  displayed, 
Softly  on  my  eyelids  laid ; 
And  as  I  wake,  sweet  music  breathe 
4-bove,  about,  or  underneath, 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  207 


Sent  by  some  spirit  to  mortals  good, 
Or  the  unseen  Genius  of  the  wood. 

MILTON. 


My  eyes  make  pictures  when  they're  shut. 

I  see  a  fountain  large'  and  fair, 
A  willow,  and  a  ruined  hut, 

And  thee  and  me  and  Mary  there. 
0,  Mary  !  make  thy  gentle  lap  our  pillow ; 
Bend  o'er  us  like  a  bower,  my  beautiful  green  willow. 

COLERIDGE. 

Sometimes  in  sleeping  dreams  of  night, 

Or  waking  dreams  of  day, 
The  self-same  picture  seeks  my  sight, 

And  will  not  fade  away. 

BAYARD  TAYLOR. 


Prifon. 

To  dream  of  imprisonment,  presages  hindrance  in  our 
most  needful  affairs,  with  detention  and  delay ;  while  in 
matters  of  health,  it  betokens  prolonged  sickness.  Yet  to 
those  in  extreme  suffering,  it  is  an  omen  of  safety. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

STONE  walls  do  not  a  prison  make, 

Nor  iron  bars  a  cage ; 
Minds  innocent  and  quiet  take 

That  for  a  hermitage : 


208  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

If  I  have  freedom  in  my  love, 

And  in  my  soul  am  free, 
Angels  alone,  that  soar  above, 

Enjoy  such  liberty. 

RICHARD  LOVELACE.    1618-58. 

A  prison  is  a  place  of  care, 

A  grave  for  men  alive ; 
A  touchstone  for  to  trie  a  friende, 

A  place  to  make  men  thrive. 

Defuncio  Carceria,  by  THOS.  WENMAN. 


Profperity — Happinefs. 

Strange,  wild  dreams  of  extravagant  pleasure  and  hap- 
piness,  presage  disappointment  and  sorrow. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK'S  DREAM  LEXICON. 

I  HAD  a  vision  yesternight 

Of  a  fairer  land  than  this, 
Where  Heaven  was  clothed  in  warmth  and  light, 

Where  earth  was  full  of  bliss ; 
And  every  tree  was  rich  with  fruits, 

And  every  field  with  flowers ; 
And  every  zephyr  wakened  lutes 

In  passion-haunted  bowers. 

And  I  was  more  than  six  feet  high, 

And  fortunate  and  wise  ; 
And  I  had  a  voice  of  melody, 

And  beautiful  black  eyes ; 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  209 

My  horses  like  the  lightning  went, 

My  barrels  carried  true ; 
And  I  held  my  tongue  at  an  argument, 

And  winning  cards  at  loo. 

I  saw  an  old  Italian  priest 

Who  spoke  without  disguise ; 
And  I  dined  with  a  Judge,  who  swore  like  Best, 

All  libels  should  be  lies. 
I  bought  for  a  penny  a  two-penny  loaf 

Of  wheat,  and  nothing  more ; 
I  danced  with  a  female  philosopher, 

Who  was  not  quite  a  bore. 

And  there  were  Kings  who  never  went 

To  cuffs  for  half-a-crown ; 
And  Lawyers  who  were  eloquent 

Without  a  wig  or  gown ; 
And  Statesmen  who  forebore  to  praise 

Their  greyhounds  or  their  guns ; 
And  Poets  who  deserved  the  bays, 

And  did  not  dread  the  duns. 

It  was  an  idle  dream — but  thou, 

Beloved  one  !  wert  there ; 
With  thy  dark  clear  eyes  and  beaming  brow, 

White  neck  and  floating  hair : 
And  oh  !  I  had  an  honest  heart ; 

And  a  house  of  Portland  stone ; 
And  thou  wert  dear,  as  still  thou  art ; 

And  more  than  dear — my  own. 

Oh,  bitterness  !  the  morning  broke, 
Alike  for  boor  and  bard ; 
18* 


210  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

And  thou  wert  married  when  I  woke, 

And  all  the  rest  were  marred : 
And  toil  and  trouble,  noise  and  steam, 

Came  back  with  coming  ray, 
And  if  I  thought  the  dead  could  dream, 

I'd  hang  myself  to-day. 

PRAED. 


Rain. 

Ham,  and  showers  and  tempests,  presage  disturbances, 
perils  and  destruction.  But  to  servants,  and  the  poor  and 
suffering,  they  betoken  a  change  of  condition,  and  deliver- 
ance from  their  affliction,  for  great  storms  are  followed  by 
a  calm. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

To  dream  of  rain,  is  destruction  to  love. 

GERMAN  BREAM  BOOK. 

THESE  weeping  skies,  these  weeping  skies ! 

They  weep  so  much  that  I  weep  too  ; 
And  everything,  like  Mary's  eyes, 

Around,  above,  below,  looks  blue. 
Such  days  as  these  will  never  do, 

My  muse  can  never  soar  again  ; 
Her  wings  are  wetted  through  and  through, 

She  tries  to  fly,  but  all  in  vain. 
0  !  skies  that  weep  so  much,  will  kill 

The  muses,  and  their  servant,  Love ; 
Their  home  is  on  the  sunny  hill, 

Where  nought  is  blue,  but  Heaven  above. 

PERCIVAL. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  211 

How  beautiful  is  the  rain  ! 
After  the  dust  and  heat, 
In  the  broad  and  fiery  street, 
In  the  narrow  lane, 
How  beautiful  is  the  rain ! 

How  it  clatters  along  the  roofs, 

Like  the  tramp  of  hoofs ! 

How  it  gushes  and  struggles  out 

From  the  throat  of  the  overflowing  spout ! 

Across  the  window  pane 

It  pours  and  pours  ; 

And  swift  and  wide, 

With  a  muddy  tide, 

Like  a  river  down  the  gutter  roars 

The  rain,  the  welcome  rain  ! 

LONGFELLOW. 


Rainbow. 

To  dream  of  a  rainbow,  is  always  a  promising  omen  to 
the  suffering  and  poor. 


ARTEMIDOEUS. 


TRIUMPHAL  arch  that  fill'st  the  sky, 
When  storms  prepare  to  part, 

I  ask  not  proud  Philosophy 
To  teach  me  what  thou  art. 

For  faithful  to  its  sacred  page, 
Heaven  still  rebuilds  thy  span, 

Nor  lets  the  type  grow  dim  with  age 
That  first  spoke  peace  to  man. 


CAMPBELL. 


212  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Look  upon  the  rainbow  and  praise  him  that  made  it : 
very  beautiful  it  is  in  the  brightness  thereof;  and  the  hands 
of  the  Most  High  have  bended  it. 

ECCLESIASTICUS,  c.  43. 

Where  shall  we  seek  a  symbol  for  the  fair  soul  of  that 
woman  who  suffers  much,  yet  ever  looks  up  to  God ;  who, 
however  she  may  weep  and  bleed  within,  ever  appears 
calm  and  smiling  to  the  world,  and  who  can  neither  be 
agitated  nor  darkened  by  the  storms  of  life  ? — Where  but 
in  Heaven — there  bends  the  Rainbow!  The  clouds  and 
winds  break  it  not,  it  beameth  ever  in  the  light  of  its  sun, 
its  drops  become  beautiful  hues,  and  it  reposes  in  Heaven 
as  the  gleaming  morning-dew  of  a  lovely  day. 

JEAN  PAUL  RICHTER. 


Red. 

To  dream  that  all  around  is  red,  such  as  a  vision  of  light 
gleaming,  crimson  garments,  sanguine  faces,  and  ruddy 
skies,  betokens  death  and  wounds,  yet  unaccompanied  with 
harm  to  yourself  unless  the  red  be  mixed  with  black,  which 
is  an  evil  omen  for  you  and  for  all. 

NIC.  VON  KLINGEUJERG. 

— CERTES  this  dreme,  which  ye  have  met  to-night 

Cometh  of  the  great  superfluitie 

Of  red  color  that  is  in  you,  parde, 

Which  causen  folke  to  dred  in  her  dreames 

Of  arrowes,  and  of  fire  with  red  lemes, 

Of  red  beastes  that  wollen  hem  bite, 

Of  conteke*  and  of  wasps  great  and  lite, 

*  Contention,  strife. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  213 


Right  as  the  humor  of  melancholic 

Causeth  many  a  man  in  sleepe  to  cry, 

For  feare  of  greate  bulles,  and  of  beres  blacke, 

Or  els  that  blacke  devils  woll  hem  take. 

CHAUCER. 

His  palace  bright, 

Bastioned  with  pyramids  of  glowing  gold, 
And  touched  with  shade  of  bronzM  obelisks, 
Glared  a  blood-red  through  all  its  thousand  courts, 
Arches  and  domes,  and  fiery  galleries ; 
And  all  its  curtains  of  Aurorian  clouds 
Flushed  angerly. 

KEATS. 


Rest — Tranquillity. 

To  dream  of  repose  and  quiet,  presages  persecution  and 
uneasiness. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

THE  spell  is  on  me,  and  a  dream  is  mine ; 

The  rude  world's  thought-disturbing  atmosphere 
Is  lifted  from  my  spirit,  and  the  clear 
Pure  elements  of  freer  skies  combine 
Above  the  dreaming  couch  where  I  recline. 
A  sense  of  deep  serene  deliciousness 
Flows  through  me  like  a  lover's  fond  caress, 
Forestalling  life  we  vaguely  call  divine. 

Born  of  this  calm  and  yet  delicious  feeling, 
Unnumbered  fancies  crowd  along  my  brain, 
Brighter  than  sun-lit  drops  of  falling  rain, 
And  instinct  with  a  wild  intense  revealing. 


2 14  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


Oh  !  what  a  mystery  is  the  life  of  dreams, 
A  life  that  is  and  is  not  what  it  seems. 

CLARENCE  ELWIN. 


When,  like  a  stream  to  lands  of  flame, 
Unto  my  mind  a  vision  came. 
Methought,  from  human  haunts  and  strife 
Remote,  we  lived  a  loving  life ; 
Our  wedded  spirits  seemed  to  blend 
In  harmony  too  sweet  to  end ; 
Such  concord  as  the  echoes  cherish 
Fondly,  but  leave  at  length  to  perish. 

EDWARD  C.  PINKNEY. 


Riding. 


To  dream  of  riding,  presages  good  fortune,  especially  to 
the  children  of  the  dreamer.  It  also  indicates  pleasant 
journeys,  and  great  stability  in  worldly  affairs  ;  but  it  will 
be  a  long  time  ere  the  latter  be  assured. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

I  HAD  a  vision  when  the  night  was  late  : 

A  youth  came  riding  toward  a  palace  gate ; 

He  rode  a  horse  with  wings,  that  would  have  flown, 

Had  not  the  heavy  rider  kept  him  down. 

And  from  the  palace  came  a  child  of  sin, 

And  took  him  by  the  curls,  and  led  him  in, 

Where  sat  a  company  with  heated  eyes, 

Expecting  when  a  fountain  should  arise : 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  215 

A  sleepy  light  upon  their  brows  and  lips- 

As  when  the  sun,  a  crescent  of  eclipse, 

Dreams  over  lake  and  lawn,  and  isles  and  capes — 

Suffused  them,  sitting,  lying,  languid  shapes, 

By  heaps  of  gourds,  and  skins  of  wine,  and  piles  of  grapes. 

THE  VISION  OP  SIN.     TENNYSON. 

Sweep  downward,  streams  of  air ! 
And  thou,  my  cloudy  chariot,  drop  thy  shade 
To  roll  like  dust,  behind  thy  silent  wheels, 
And  draw  round  earth  the  triumph  of  our  march  ! 
See  where  from  zone  to  zone,  the  shadow  moves — 
A  spot  upon  the  desert's  golden  glare — 
A  deeper  blue  on  the  far-stretching  plains 
Of  ocean's  foamy  azure. 

THE  VOYAGE  OP  A  DREAM.    BAYARD  TAYLOR. 


Ring. 


To  wear  a  gold  ring,  betokens  dignity,  wealth,  and  re- 
gard.    To  lose  a  ring,  indicates  the  loss  of  love. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

LONG  time  I  sat  at  even  late 

Till  cock  crowing  alone, 
Nor  longer  could  I  aught  await, — 

The  wood  was  burnt  and  gone. 

I  slept,  I  dreamed,  it  to  me  seemed, 
Ah  me,  unhappy  maid ! 


216  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

The  gold  ring  from  my  finger  fell, 
That  my  right  hand  displayed. 

Out  slipped  a  costly  stone  of  price 

That  in  the  ring  should  be  ; — 
The  precious  stone  I  never  found; — 

No  lover  came  to  me. 

From  the  Bohemian  "  RUKOPIS  KRALODVOISKY,"  or  "  Manuscript 
of  the  Queen's  Court."     Translated  by  A.  H.  WRATISLAW. 

dpi 

I  like  that  ring — that  ancient  ring, 

Of  massive  form  and  virgin  gold, 
As  firm,  as  free  from  base  alloy, 

As  were  the  sterling  hearts  of  old. 
I  like  it — for  it  wafts  me  back, 

Far,  far  along  the  stream  of  time, 
To  other  men,  and  other  days, 

The  men  and  days  of  deeds  sublime. 

Remnant  of  days  departed  long, 
Emblem  of  plighted  troth  unbroken, 

Pledge  of  devoted  faithfulness, 
Of  heartfelt,  holy  love  the  token : 

What  varied  feelings  round  it  cling ! — 

For  these  I  like  the  ancient  ring. 

GEORGE  W.  DOANE. 


Rivers. 

Clear  rivers  flowing  gently,  are  a  good  omen  to  the  hum- 
He,  to  those  involved  in  litigation,  and  to  travellers.  But 
if  muddy  and  torrent-like,  they  portend  oppression  and 

mishaps. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

RIVER,  0  river  of  light !  whereon 

The  eyes  of  my  youth  were  cast, 
And  many  an  idle  hour  and  day 

In  mirth  and  joy  were  past ! 
Still  bright  and  quiet  thou  flowest  on, 

As  flowed  my  earliest  years, 
Without  a  ripple,  save  those  that  rise 

Beneath  my  dropping  tears.  % 

River,  0  river !  the  trees  still  shake 

Their  leaves  in  thy  passing  tide ; 
And  the  nodding  flowers,  the  glassed  flowers  see, 

That  mock  them  as  they  glide. 
'Twas  thus,  even  thus,  in  ages  gone ; 

But  others, — alas,  all  flown ! — 
Were  wont  to  sit  on  thy  gray  old  rocks, 

Where  now  I  rest  alone. 

River,  6  river  !  my  lady  yet 

Walks  on  thy  verdant  shore ; 
But  though  she  smiles  on  thy  bright  blue  waves, 

She  smiles  on  me  no  more. 

19  (217) 


218  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

I  will  not  look  on  thy  happy  tide, 
Nor  list  to  thy  breeze's  stir, 

When  knowing,  however  she  sighs  by  thee, 
Another  sighs  with  her. 


BIRD. 


Rivers  from  bubbling  springs 
Have  rise  at  first ;  and  great  from  abject  things. 

MIDDLE-TON. 


Rocks. 

To  dream  of  rocks,  presages  danger  and  cruel  suffering. 

DAS  REICHHALTIGE  TRAUM  BUOH. 

THE  dream  changed ;  in  a  cave  she  stood,  its  walls 

Were  hung  with  marble  icicles ;  the  work 

Of  ages  on  its  water-fretted  walls, 

Where  waves  might  wash,  and  seals  might  breed  and  lurk; 

Her  hair  was  dripping,  and  the  very  balls 

Of  her  black  eyes  seemed  turned  to  tears,  and  murk 

The  sharp  rocks  looked  below  each  drop  they  caught, 

Which  froze  to  marble  as  it  fell,  she  thought. 


BYRON. 


I  dreamed  I  stood  upon  a  rock,  that  reared 
Its  solitary  peak  from  out  an  ocean 

Whose  broad  expanse  no  sunbeam  ever  cheered, 
But  a  dim  twilight  veiled  its  wild  commotion ; 

And  'gainst  that  rock  the  foaming  surges  broke, 

Which  trembled  to  its  base  at  every  stroke. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  219 

And  round  about  me  was  no  living  thing ; 

No  sea-bird  flapped  the  gloom  on  weary  pinion ; 
Upon  the  watery  waste  no  ship's  white  wing 

Could  be  discerned,  to  tell  of  man's  dominion : 
But  all  did  seem  like  Nature's  primal  sleep, 
When  darkness  veiled  the  void  and  formless  deep. 

All,  save  the  chilly  wind  that  fiercely  blew, 

And  a  strange  light  that  from  the  billows  streaming, 

Just  served  to  make  them  visible,  and  threw 
Upon  that  lonely  rock  a  fitful  gleaming ; 

But  overhead  primeval  darkness  hung, 

Through  which  not  even  a  star  its  radiance  flung. 

3ST.  Y.  KNICKERBOCKER. 


Roses. 

To  dream  of  roses,  is  a  most  unfavourable  omen  for  those 
who  propose  undertaking  anything  which  requires  secrecy, 
(qui  latere  conantur),  and  also  for  the  sicJc.  But  to  all 
others  they  presage  happiness. 


ARTEMIDORUS. 


KING  HABOR  dreamed  a  mystic  dream 
As  he  slept  in  the  silent  night, 

And  told  it  to  his  mother  dear 
In  the  early  morning  light. 

"  I  dreamed  I  rode  in  greenwood  wild, 

No  other  man  was  there : 
There  grew^two  roses  round  my  arm, 

And  both  were  young  and  fair. 


220  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

"  There  grew  two  roses  round  my  arm, 
And  both  were  fair  and  young ; 

The  birds  upon  the  linden  bough, 
They  praised  the  flowers  and  sung." 

And  no  one  in  King  Habor's  hall 

Could  read  that  dream  aright, 
Only  his  mother  knew  it  well, 

And  warm  tears  dimmed  her  sight. 

"  Although  thou  fated  art  to  win 

A  maiden  white  and  red, 
Yet  I  am  doomed  to  wail  and  weep, 

For  my  son  will  soon  be  dead. 

"  And  if  thou  fated  art  to  win 

And  wear  thy  fair  young  wife, 
Then  I  am  doomed  to  wail  and  weep, 
For  she'll  cost  thee  body  and  life  !" 

HABOR  AND  FAIR  SIGNIL. 
Translated  from  the  Swedish  by  C.  G.  LELAND. 

I  dreamt  the  Roses  one  time  went 
To  meet,  and  sit  in  Parliament; 
The  place  for  these,  and  for  the  rest 
Of  flowers,  was  thy  spotless  breast ; 
Over  the  which  a  state  was  drawn 
Of  tiffany,  or  cobweb-lawn  : 
Then  in  that  Parley,  all  those  powers 
Voted  the  Rose  the  queen  of  flowers  : 
But  so  as  that  herself  should  be 

The  maid  of  honour  unto  thee. 

HERBICK. 


Ruins. 

"Ruins  seen  in  dreams,  presage"  according  to  VON 
GERSTENBERGK,  "repentance  and  remorse."  According 
to  another  authority,  they  are  ominous  of  a  loss  of  good 
fortune. 

MOURNFUL  images  my  soul  possessed, 

And  mingled  with  the  visions  of  my  rest. 
Methought  that  I  was  travelling  o'er  a  plain, 
Whose  limits  far  beyond  all  reach  of  sense 
The  aching,  anxious  sight  explored  in  vain ; 
How  came  I  there  I  could  not  tell,  nor  whence. 

Behind  me  was  a  dolorous,  dreary  scene, 
With  huge  and  mouldering  ruins  widely  spread ; 
Wastes  which  had  whilome  fertile  regions  been, 
Tombs  which  had  lost  all  record  of  the  dead. 
And  where  the  dim  horizon  seemed  to  close, 
Far  off  the  gloomy  Pyramids  arose. 

THE  VISION.    SOUTHEY. 

Men  say  that  in  this  midnight  hour 
The  disembodied  have  power 
To  wander  as  it  liketh  them, 
By  wizard  oak  and  fairy  stream — 

Through  still  and  solemn  places, 
And  by  old  walls  and  tombs,  to  dream 

With  pale,  cold,  mournful  faces. 
I  fear  them  not ;  for  they  must  be 
Spirits  of  kindest  sympathy, 
19*  (221) 


222  PtfETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Who  choose  such  haunts,  and  joy  to  feel 
The  beauties  of  this  calm  night  steal 
Like  music  o'er  them,  while  they  wooed 
The  luxury  of  Solitude. 


MOTHERWELL. 


1  Sailing. 

If  you  dream  of  sailing  pleasantly  along,  the  omen  is 
highly  favourable  ;  but  if  in  a  storm,  danger  and  grief  are 
at  hand.  A  wreck  is  the  worst  possible  dream.  To  sail  on 
land  is  an  evil  sign,  and  to  dream  of  sailing  far  away 

without  returning,  presages  death. 

ABTEMIDOEUS. 

HAST  thou  seen  the  ancient  river  ? 

Hast  thou  seen  its  waves  ? 
And  the  sunlight  shining  ever 

In  its  pearled  caves  ? 

I  have  seen  the  mighty  river; 

Like  a  bridal  band 
Were  the  white-sailed  ships  and  gallies 

Anchored  by  its  strand. 

Didst  thou  see  a  queenly  vessel  ? 

Had  it  favouring  gales  ? 
Was  a  golden  star  embroidered 

On  its  silken  sails  ? 

Saw  I  but  a  black  gondola, 

Sailing  far  from  me : 
And  its  course  was  ever  onward 

To  the  endless  sea. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  223 

Ever  onward,  never  ending, 

Through  the  silent  streams ; 
Like  a  weary  soul,  for  ever 

Lost  in  'wildered  dreams. 

C.  G.  LELA&D. 

Haste  and  take  my  parting  hand  ! 
We  are  pushing  from  the  land, 
And  adown  a  lovely  stream 
Gently  floating — is't  a  dream  ? 
For  the  oarsman  near  me  sings, 
Keeping  time  with  snowy  wings. 

ALICE  CAREY. 


Sailors. 

Cf-reat  reward  or  profit  is  presaged  by  dreaming  of  a 
sailor. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

A  SAILOR  ever  loves  to  be  in  motion, 

Roaming  about  he  scarce  knows  where  or  why ; 

He  looks  upon  the  dim  and  shadowy  ocean 
As  home,  abhors  the  land  ;  and  e'en  the  sky, 

Boundless  and  beautiful,  has  naught  to  please, 

Except  some  clouds  which  promise  him  a  breeze. 

He  is  a  child  of  mere  impulse  and  passion, 
Loving  his  friends,  and  generous  to  his  foes, 

And  fickle  as  the  most  ephemeral  fashion, 
Save  in  the  cut  and  colour  of  his  clothes, 


224  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

And  in  a  set  of  phrases,  which  on  land 
The  wisest  head  could  never  understand. 

I  love  the  sailor — his  eventful  life — 

His  generous  spirit — his  contempt  of  danger — 

His  firmness  in  the  gale,  the  wreck,  the  strife ; 
And,  though  a  wild  and  reckless  ocean  ranger, 

God  grant  he  make  that  port,  when  life  is  o'er, 

Where  storms  are  hushed,  and  billows  break  no  more. 

Rev.  WALTER  COLTON. 

With  gold  and  silver  streamers  fine 

The  ladies'  rigging  show ; 
But  English  ships  more  grandly  shine, 

When  prizes  home  we  tow. 
What's  got  at  sea,  we  spend  on  shore  • 

With  sweethearts  and  with  wives, 
And  then,  my  boys,  hoist  sail  for  more ; 

Thus  sailors  pass  their  lives. 

And  a  sailing  they  do  go. 

THE  CONVIVIAL  SONGSTER.    1782. 


Saint  Agnes's  Eve. 


St.  Agnes's  Day  is  the  21st  of  January,  and  it  was 
anciently  believed  that  on  its  eve  any  maiden  might  know 
in  dreams  who  her  husband  would  be.  From  an  old 
English  dream  book,  we  learn  that  this  was  to  be  done  by 
fasting  twenty-four  hours  on  pure  spring  water,  "  then  go 
to  bed,  and  mind  you  sleep  alone,  telling  no  one  of  what 
you  are  trying,  or  it  will  break  the  spell;  go  to  rest  on  your 
left  side,  repeating  these  lines  three  times — 

'  St.  Agnes  be  a  friend  to  me, 
In  the  gift  1  ask  of  thee  ; 
Let  me  this  night  my  husband  see? — 

and  you  will  dream  of  your  future  spouse." 

— THEY  told  her  how  upon  St.  Agnes'  Eve, 

Young  virgins  might  have  visions  of  delight ; 
And  soft  adorings  from  their  loves  receive 

Upon  the  honeyed  middle  of  the  night, 

If  ceremonies  due  they  did  aright ; 
As,  supperless  to  bed  they  must  retire, 

And  couch  supine  their  beauties,  lily-white ; 

Nor  look  behind,  nor  sidewise,  but  require 
Of  heaven  with  upward  eyes  for  all  that  they  desire. 

Full  of  this  whim  was  thoughtful  Madeline ; 

The  music,  yearning  like  a  God  in  pain, 
She  scarcely  heard ;  her  maiden  eyes  divine 

Fixed  on  the  floor ;  saw  many  a  sweeping  train 

(225) 


226  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Pass  by — she  heeded  not  at  all ;  in  vain 
Came  many  a  tiptoe,  amorous  cavalier, 

And  back  retired ;  not  cooled  by  high  disdain : 
But  she  saw  not ;  her  heart  was  otherwhere — 
She  sighed  for  Agnes'  dreams,  the  sweetest  of  the  year. 

KEATS. 


Sea. 

To  dream  that  you  behold  the  sea  with  its  waves  gently 
undulating  and  of  a  beautiful  blue  or  purple  shade,  as  in 
very  fine  weather,  is  an  especially  favourable  omen,  and 

one  portending  great  deeds. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

To  dream  of  hearing  the  roaring  of  the  sea,  indicates 
confusion  and  bustle  in  affairs. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS. 

To  see  the  ocean  stormy,  presages  strife  and  contention. 

DAS  REICHHALTIGE  TRAUM  BUCH. 

IT  is  the  sea,  it  is  the  sea, 

In  all  its  vague  immensity, 

Fading  and  darkening  in  the  distance ! 

Silent,  majestical,  and  slow, 

The  white  ships  haunt  it  to  and  fro, 

With  all  their  ghostly  sails  unfurled, 

As  phantoms  from  another  world 

Haunt  the  dim  confines  of  existence. 

The  Golden  Legend.    LONGFELLOW. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  227 

Thou  glorious  sea,  more  pleasing  far 

When  all  thy  waters  are  at  rest, 
And  noonday  sun,  or  midnight  star, 

Is  shining  on  thy  waveless  breast. 


HEMANS. 


Thou  art  sounding  on,  thou  mighty  sea, 

For  ever  and  the  same  ! 
The  ancient  rocks  yet  ring  to  thee, 

Those  thunders  naught  can  tame. 

Oh  !  many  a  glorious  voice  is  gone 
From  the  rich  bowers  of  earth, 

And  hushed  is  many  a  lovely  one 
Of  mournfulness  or  mirth. 

But  thou  art  swelling  on,  thou  deep, 
Through  many  an  olden  clime, 

Thy  billowy  anthem,  ne'er  to  sleep 
Until  the  close  of  time. 

Thou  liftest  up  thy  solemn  voice 

To  every  wind  and  sky, 
And  all  our  earth's  green  shores  rejoice 

In  that  one  harmony. 


HEMANS. 


Sea  Shells. 

To  dream  of  sea  shells,  is  an  omen  that  you  will  soon  be 
reminded  of  things  long  past,  or  of  places  far  away.  It 
also  presages  a  journey  beyond  the  sea. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

OF  pearly  hue 

Within,  and  they  that  lustre  have  imbibed 
In  the  sun's  palace  porch ;  where,  when  unyoked, 
His  chariot  wheel  stands  midway  in  the  wave, 
Shake  one,  and  it  awakens ;  then  apply 
Its  polished  lips  to  your  attentive  ear, 
And  it  remembers  its  august  abodes, 

And  murmurs  as  the  ocean  murmurs  there. 

LANDOB. 


CONCHA  VENERIS. 

Where  erst  the  sea-waves'  gentle  swell 

In  murmurs  met  my  ear, 
The  sorrows  of  the  breathing  shell 

I  heard,  and  yet  I  hear. 

'Twas  melting  Venus  stored  with  sighs 

Of  love,  this  tender  token ; 
And  never  its  sweet  sympathies 

Shall  cease  till  it  be  broken. 

POLWJIELE. 

(228) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  229 

I  dreamed  last  night  you  brought  me  shells, 

Great  shells  of  chocolate  and  pearl, 
Or  those  long  cones  which  ocean  belles 

Use,  to  put  emerald  locks  in  curl : 
And  large  white  cups  with  scolloped  rim, 

Cut  out  like  waves  so  sharp  and  fair, 
As  if  the  sea  had  willed,  though  lost, 

Their  mother's  mark  they  still  should  bear. 

C.  GK  LELAND. 


Serpents — Snakes. 


To  dream  of  serpents,  forebodes  that  you  will  be  exposed 
to  brutal  ill-nature  from  a  man,  or  treachery  from  a  wo- 
man. Snakes  coiling  and  twisting,  presage  sickness  or 
imprisonment.  Killing  them,  is  an  omen  of  victory  and 
success. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

Treading  on  serpents,  you  will  overcome  your  enemies. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS. 

AND  in  my  dream  methought  I  went 

To  search  out  what  might  there  be  found ; 

And  what  the  sweet  bird's  trouble  meant, 

That  thus  lay  fluttering  on  the  ground. 

I  went  and  peered,  and  could  descry 

No  cause  for  her  distressful  cry ; 

But  yet  for  her  dear  lady's  sake 

I  stooped,  methought,  the  dove  to  take. 

20 


230  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

When  lo  !  I  saw  a  bright  green  snake 
Coiled  around  its  wings  and  neck. 
Green  as  the  herbs  on  which  it  couched, 
Close  by  the  dove  its  head  it  crouched ! 
And  with  the  dove  it  heaves  and  stirs, 
Swelling  its  neck  as  she  swelled  hers ! 
I  woke ;  it  was  the  midnight  hour,    ' 
The  clock  was  echoing  in  the  tower ; 
But  though  my  slumber  was  gone  by, 
This  dream  it  would  not  pass  away — 
It  seemed  to  live  upon  my  eye ! 
And  thence  I  vowed  this  self-same  day, 
With  music  strong  and  saintly  song 
To  wander  through  the  forest  bare, 
Lest  aught  unholy  linger  there. 

COLERIDGE.     Chriatalel. 


Ship. 


To  dream  of  a  ship  sailing  away  from  the  shore,  is  a  sign 
of  sorrow. 

I  DREAMED  not  long  ago 

I  stood  on  a  rocky  steep, — 
On  a  cliff  by  the  ocean's  strand ; — 
And  I  looked  far  over  the  land, 

And  down  on  the  glorious  deep. 

Beneath  me,  in  gallant  trim, 
A  stately  bark  lay  moored, 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  231 

The  surge  its  dark  side  laving, — 
Gayly  its  flag  was  waving, 
And  a  pilot  stood  on  board. 

And  behold,  there  came  from  the  mountains 

A  merry,  merry  band ; 
Bedecked  with  garlands  bright, 
They  seemed  like  spirits  of  light, 

As  they  tripped  along  the  strand. 

"Say,  pilot,  wilt  thou  take  us?" 

"  What  nymphs  be  ye  so  gay  ?" 
"Earth's  Joys  and  Pleasures  are  we, 
From  Earth  we  fain  would  flee, 

0  !  bear  us  from  Earth  away !" 

Then  the  pilot,  he  bade  them  enter ; 

And  they  entered  one  by  one. 
"  But  tell  me,  are  here  all  ? 
Are  none  left  in  bower  or  hall  ?" 

And  they  answered,  "There  are  none." 

Away,  then  ! — the  bark  leaped  forth, 

Unmoored  from  the  anchor's  thrall ; 
And  away  she  sped  with  a  glorious  motion, 
And  I  saw  ihem  vanish  over  the  ocean, — 
Earth's  Joys  and  Pleasures  all. 

UHLAND.     Translated  by  F.  H.  HEDGE. 


Visions  of  love-light  seen  and  fled, 
Swift  barks  of  gladness  met  and  hailed, 

Of  beacon  fires  and  land  ahead  ! 

ALICE  CARET, 


Singing. 

To  dream  of  "hearing  singing,  denotes  the  confirmation 
of  hopes.  But  if  the  dreamer  is  the  singer,  it  forebodes 
disappointment. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

'TwAS  a  child 

That  up  the  aisle,  advancing  to  the  footlamps, 
Drew  near,  and,  with  her  hands  locked  carelessly, 
Sang  with  a  fearless  joyfulness.     Her  voice 
Was  fresh  as  May  winds ;  wilder  than  the  lark, 
That  swoops  and  circles  in  its  upward  flight, 
Delirious  with  music.     Scarce  the  ear 
Marked  how,  through  labyrinths  of  song,  it  held 
One  clue  of  melody — its  notes,  like  pearls, 
Strung  on  the  silken  thread  they  half  concealed. 
Her  voice  was  but  the  sail  her  happy  spirit 
Urged  to  its  utmost  speed  through  waves  of  sound. 
When  Marcia  sang,  each  silver  arrow  sped 
True  to  the  mark ;  but  these  seemed  flung  at  random. 
No  bird  that  sings  among  the  summer  leaves 
E'er  voiced  his  spirit  with  such  deep  delight. 
And  when  she  ceased,  and  the  loud  orchestra 
Took  up  the  strain,  the  multitude  o'erwhelmed  it 
With  a  continuous  thunder. 

EDITH  MAY. 

Oft  have  I  dreamed  of  music  rare  and  fine, 

The  wedded  melody  of  lute  and  voice, 

(232) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  233 

Divinest  strains  that  made  my  soul  rejoice, 

And  woke  its  inner  harmonies  divine. 

And  where  Sicilia  smoothes  the  ruffled  seas, 
And  Enna  hollows  all  its  purple  vales, 
Thrice  have  I  heard  the  noble  nightingales 

All  night  entranced  beneath  the  bloomy  trees  ; 

But  music,  nightingales,  and  all  that  thought 
Conceives  of  song  are  naught 

To  thy  rich  voice,  which  echoes  in  my  brain, 

And  fills  my  longing  heart  with  a  melodious  pain. 

STODDABD. 

Rossignou  que  cantes  sans  cessa 

Dins  monjardi, 
Vai-t'en  a  m'amiga  ai$o  pressa, 

De  bon  mati. 

Nightingale  that  ceaseless  sings 

In  the  green  grove, 
Hasten  with  swiftest  wings 

To  her  I  love  ! 
Sing  to  her  with  thy  gentlest  notes 

Thy  loveliest  song ; 
Sing — if  she  loves  me,  I'll  rejoice 

My  whole  life  long ! 

Sleepeth  she  in  the  leafy  bowers 

Where  roses  blow  ? 
Wake  her  not  in  the  happiest  hours 

Of  earth  below. 
Sing  softly,  sweetly  in  her  ear, 

Her  heart  to  move ; 
She'll  deem  it  all  a  dream,  and  hear 

How  much  I  love. 
20* 


234  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

See  if  she  lends  an  ear,  and  seeks 

To  hark  to  thee ; 
Listen,  if  in  her  sleep  she  speaks 

One  word  of  me. 
Is  my  name  murmured  ? — then  on  wings 

Swift  as  the  wind, 
Be  as  a  messenger  who  brings 

Peace  to  my  mind. 

Translated  from  the  Provencal  'Patois  of  Montpellier, 
BY  HENRY  P.  LELAND. 


Sleep. 


To  dream  of  sleeping,  betokens  peace.  To  see  one  of 
your  sex  asleep,  forebodes  enmity.  A  beautiful  woman 
sleeping,  is  a  sign  of  betrayal — a  handsome  man,  indicates 
deceit.  A  husband  or  wife,  presages  happiness. 

WHAT  is  more  gentle  than  a  wind  in  summer  ? 
What  is  more  soothing  than  the  pretty  hummer 
That  stays  one  moment  in  an  open  flower, 
And  buzzes  cheerily  from  bower  to  bower  ? 
What  is  more  tranquil  than  a  musk-rose  blowing, 
In  a  green  island  far  from  all  men's  knowing  ? 
More  healthful  than  the  leafiness  of  dales  ? 
More  secret  than  a  nest  of  nightingales  ? 
More  serene  than  Cordelia's  countenance  ? 
More  full  of  visions  than  a  high  romance  ? 
What  but  thee,  Sleep  ?     Soft  closer  of  our  eyes  ! 
Low  murmurer  of  tender  lullabies ! 


POETRY  OP  BREAMS.  235 


Light  hoverer  around  our  happy  pillows ! 
Wreather  of  poppy  buds  and  weeping  willows  ! 
Silent  entangler  of  a  beauty's  tresses  ! 
Most  happy  listener !  when  the  morning  blesses 
Thee  for  enlivening  all  the  cheerful  eyes 
That  glance  so  brightly  at  the  new  sunrise  ! 


KEATS. 


As  I  lay  in  my  bed,  slepe  full  unmete 
Was  unto  me,  but  why  that  I  ne  might 
Rest  I  ne  wis,  for  there  nas  erthly  wight 
(As  I  suppose)  had  more  of  hertis  ese 
Than  I,  for  I  nad  sicknesse  nor  disese. 


CHAUCER. 


Spirits. 

Spirits  clad  in  white,  presage  joy  and  extreme  good 
fortune. 


"GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 


ALL  over  doth  this  outer  earth 

An  inner  earth  unfold, 

And  sounds  may  reach  us  of  its  mirth 

Over  its  pales  of  gold : 

There  spirits  live,  unwedded  all 

From  the  shades  and  shapes  they  wore, 

Though  still  their  printless  footsteps  fall 

By  the  hearths  they  loved  before. 


236  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

We  know  them  not,  nor  hear  the  sound 
They  make  in  threading  all  around, 
Their  office  sweet  and  mighty  prayer 
Float  without  echo  on  the  air ; 

Yet  sometimes  in  unworldly  places, 
Soft  sorrows  twilight  vales ; 

We  meet  them  with  uncovered  faces 

Outside  their  golden  pales. 
Though  dim,  as  they  must  ever  be, 
Like  ships  far  off  and  out  at  sea, 

With  the  sun  upon  their  sails. 

ANONYMOUS. 

Then  a  sad  vision  came  to  me ; 

All  in  the  still  and  shadowy  night, 

A  figure  clad  in  robes  of  white 

Stood  on  the  margin  of  the  sea : 

A  figure  clad  in  robes  of  white, 

And  looking  as  an  angel  might, 

Who,  folding  close  each  marble  hand, 

Knelt  lowly  on  the  glistening  sand ; 

And  with  still,  pale  lips  raised  to  Heaven, 

Looked  up  as  to  a  brighter  land. 

THE  MORNING  WATCH. 


Stars. 

To  dream  of  the  stars,  is  the  most  favourable  omen  for 
men. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS. 

A  VISION  passed  upon  my  soul, 
I  still  was  gazing  up  to  heaven, 
As  in  the  early  hours  of  even 
I  still  beheld  the  planets  roll, 
And  all  those  countless  sons  of  light 
Flame  from  the  broad  blue  arch,  and  guide  the  moonless 
night. 

The  Vision  of  Liberty,  by  HENRY  WARE. 

I  slept.     But  these  ineffable  bright  hues 

Were  busy  with  my  fancy.     I  dreamt.     Off 

In  the  warm  ocean  of  the  western  sky 

I  saw  two  beautiful  strange  orbs,  that  seemed 

To  sail  among  the  zephyrs,  and  to  catch 

The  glories  of  the  air  in  which  they  bathed. 

The  one  was  delicate  as  thought — just  seen, 

Clear  as  the  eyes  of  angels — and  as  fair ! 

And  round  its  thin  circumference  there  went 

The  shifting  wonders  of  the  rainbow — fire, 

And  sky  and  ocean,  landscape,  men  and  trees, 

And  blossoms,  and  gold  fruits — crystals  and  gems — 

Those  thousand,  thousand  luxuries  of  light, 

That  play  upon  a  bubble's  gossamer. 

GRENVILLE  MELLEN. 
(237) 


238  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Many  a  night  I  saw  the  Pleiads,  rising  thro'  the  mellow 

shade, 
Glitter  like  a  swarm  of  fire-flies,  tangled  in  a  silver  braid. 

TENNYSON. 

Silently  one  by  one,  in  the  infinite  meadows  of  heaven, 
Blossomed  the  lovely  stars,  the  forget-me-nots  of  the  angels. 

LONGFELLOW. 

The  stars  were  mingled  with  my  dreams. 

WORDSWORTH. 


Statues. 

It  is  fortunate  to  dream  of  statues,  especially  if  they  be 
made  of  noble  and  costly  materials.  Statues  refer  especially 
to  the  great  men  of  a  city,  and  the  appearance  of  such 
images  in  dr-eams  signifies,  that  great  political  events  will 
speedily  come  to  pass.  Terror  and  danger  is  presaged  by 
moving  statues,  especially  by  those  of  the  gods. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 
**• 

— IT  was  filled  with  sculptures  rarest, 
Of  forms  most  beautiful  and  strange, 

Like  nothing  human,  but  the  fairest 
Of  winged  shapes,  whose  legions  range 

Throughout  the  sleep  of  those  who  are, 

Like  this  same  lady,  good  and  fair. 


POETRY  OP  DREAMS.  239 

And  as  she  looked,  still  lovelier  grew 
Those  marble  forms ; — the  sculptor  sure 

Was  a  strong  spirit,  and  the  hue 
Of  his  own  mind  did  there  endure 

After  the  touch,  whose  power  had  braided 

Such  grace,  was  in  some  sad  change  faded. 

She  looked — the  flames  were  dim,  the  flood 

Grew  tranquil  as  a  woodland  river 
Winding  through  hills  in  solitude  ; 

Those  marble  shapes  then  seemed  to  quivei 
And  their  fair  limbs  to  float  in  motion, 
Like  weeds  unfolding  in  the  ocean. 

And  their  lips  moved ;  one  seemed  to  speak, 
When  suddenly  the  mountain  craekt, 

And  through  the  chasm  the  floor  did  break 
With  an  earth-uplifting  cataract : 

The  statues  gave  a  joyous  scream, 

And  on  its  wings  the  pale  thin  dream 

Lifted  the  Lady  from  the  stream. 

The  dizzy  flight  of  that  phantom  pale, 

Waked  the  fair  lady  from  her  sleep, 
And  she  arose,  while  from  the  veil 

Of  her  dark  eyes,  the  dream  did  creep ; 
And  she  walked  about  as  one  who  knew 
That  sleep  has  sights  as  clear  and  true 
As  any  waking  eyes  can  view. 

fcflfcLLEY. 


Storm. 

It 

Storms  presage  disturbances,  perils,  and  destruction. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

I  DREAMED  I  lay  where  flowers  were  springing, 

Gayly  in  the  sunny  beam ; 
Listening  to  the  wild  birds  singing, 

By  a  falling,  crystal  stream ; 
Straight  the  sky  grew  black  and  daring ; 

Through  the  woods  the  whirlwinds  rave ; 
Trees  with  aged  arms  were  warring 

O'er  the  swelling,  drumlie  wave. 

BURNS. 

— Now  darker  grew  the  crowded  atmosphere ; 
There  was  no  moon  on  high,  and  not  a  star 
Peeped  through  the  sable  canopy ;  the  blast 
Rang  loud,  and  now  with  roar  more  terrible 
Swept  o'er  the  foaming  wave.         *         *         * 

As  thus  we  sailed, 

More  furious  howled  the  storm,  and  in  the  air 
So  black  and  pitchy,  forms  appeared  to  float 
More  black,  and  of  terrific  character. 

A  moment's  calm  prevailed ; 
The  mountain  billows  held  their  foaming  heads 
Suspended  in  the  clouds,  to  aid  the  still 
And  petrifying  silence ;  then  again 
They  fell  in  thundering  cataracts  ;  the  winds 
Burst  on  resistless,  and  together  joined 
Ocean  and  air  to  augment  the  fearful  scene. 

COTTLE'S  Alfred. 
(240) 


Sun. 

To  dream  of  seeing  the  sun  rise  in  all  his  splendour,  is 
a  good  sign  for  all  good  men.  But  to  those  who  hide  in 
the  dark  to  do  evil,  it  is  ominous  of  detection  and  disgrace. 
But  the  most  favourable  of  all  signs  is,  to  dream  that  the 
sun  shines  into  your  house. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

KNOW'ST  thou  not, 

That  when  the  searching  eye  of  Heaven  is  hid 
Behind  the  globe,  and  lights  the  lower  world, 
Then  thieves  and  robbers  range  abroad,  unseen, 
In  murders  and  in  outrage,  bloody  here ; 
But  when,  from  under  this  terrestrial  ball, 
He  fires  the  proud  tops  of  the  eastern  pines, 
And  darts  his  light  through  every  guilty  hole, 
Then  murders,  treasons,  and  detested  sins, 
The  cloak  of  night  being  plucked  from  off  their  backs, 
Stand  bare  and  naked,  trembling  at  themselves. 

King  Richard  II.    SHAKSPEARE. 

The  all-beholding  sun  yet  shines ;  I  hear 

A  busy  stir  of  men  about  the  streets ; 

I  see  the  bright  sky  through  the  window-panes ; 

It  is  a  garish,  broad,  and  peering  day ; 

Loud,  light,  suspicious,  full  of  eyes  and  ears ; 

And  every  little  corner,  nook,  and  hole, 

Is  penetrated  with  the  insolent  light. 

SHELLEY. 
21  (241) 


242  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


The  beauty  of  a  wildering  dream 
Hung  sofily  round  declining  day. 

ALICE  CAREY. 

Where  are  they  now,  the  dreams  we  dreamed, 

That  scattered  sunshine  o'er  us  ? 

IBID. 


Swallows. 

To  dream  of  these  birds,  presages  grief  and  parting,  if 
not  the  death  of  those  we  love. 

ABTEMIDOBUS. 

I  HEARD  THE  SWALLOWS  chirping  in  the  early  morning 

gleam, 

They  called  me  from  a  sleeping  to  a  silent  waking  dream, 
A  dream  of  ancient  Fable  Time,  when  Procne  yet  was 

young, 
And  Philomel  a  lady  fair,  still  sang  in  Grecian  tongue. 

Oh,  Spring  bird  of  the  early  flowers,  first  minstrel  of  the 

year, 
Fast-darting  herald  of  the  morn — right  welcome  art  thou 

here. 

Thou  art  the  truest  Troubadour,  for  who  to-day  'doth  sing 
So  constantly  of  winter  past — so  oft  of  coming  spring  ? 

Thou'rt  called  by  all  a  merry  bird,  and  merry  dost  thou 

seem, 
JJut  thou  wert  aye  a  wonder-bird  of  mystery  and  dream : 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  243 

Where  wonest  thou  in  winter-tide  in  lands  beyond  the  sea  ? 
Last  of  the  pilgrims  d1  outre  mer,  what  shrine  can  summon 

thee? 

•*»       # 

"  My  shrine  is  broad,  my  shrine  is  wide,  it  spreads  below, 

above, 
A  heathen  shrine,  a  Christian  shrine — the  shrine  of  living 

love: 

I  build  my  altars  ever,  where  I  rounded  them  of  yore, 
And  my  nestlings  are  my  offerings — till  life  and  love  are 

o'er." 

C.  G.  LELAND. 


Swan. 

To  dream  of  beautiful  white  swans,  presages  wealth;  but 
to  hear  them  sing,  is  a  sign  of  death. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

I  HEARD  (alas !  'twas  only  in  a  dream) 
Strains,  which  as  sage  Antiquity  believed 
By  waking  ears  liave  sometimes  been  received 
Wafted  adown  the  wind  from  lake  or  stream ; 
A  most  melodious  requiem,  a  supreme 
And  perfect  harmony  of  notes,  achieved 
By  a  fair  Swan  on  drowsy  billows  heaved, 
O'er  which  her  pinions  shed  a  silver  gleam. 
For  is  she  not  the  votary  of  Apollo  ? 
And  knows  she  not,  singing  as  he  inspires, 
That  bliss  awaits  her  which  the  ungenial  hollow 
Of  the  dull  earth  partakes  not,  nor  desires  ? 
Mount,  tuneful  Bird,  and  join  the  immortal  quires ! 
She  soared — and  I  awoke,  struggling  in  vain  to  follow. 

WORDSWORTH. 


Tears. 

To  dream  of  shedding  or  of  seeing  tears,  presages  hap- 
piness on  waking. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS  and  ARTEMIDORUS. 

ON  thy  parted  lips  there's  a  quivering  thrill, 

As  on  a  lyre  ere  its  chords  are  still ; 

On  the  long  silk  lashes  that  fringe  thine  eye 

There's  a  large  tear  gathering  heavily ; 

A  rain  from  the  clouds  of  thy  spirit  pressed — 

Sorrowful  dreamer  !  this  is  not  rest ! 

THE  DREAMER,  ly  MRS.  HEMANS. 

"When  I  did  name  her  brothers,  then  fresh  tears 
Stood  on  her  cheeks :  as  doth  the  honey  dew 
Upon  a  gathered  lily  almost  withered. 

SHAKSPEARE.     Titus  Andronicua, 

— In  sleepe  this  spectacle  to  me  did  show, 
As  I  methought  did  sit  on  royall  throne, 
With  Peeres  about  me  set — a  Ladie  faire 
In  presence  came,  and  making  pitious  mone, 
Tearing  the  tresses  of  her  golden  haire, 
And  wringing  both  her  hands,  as  if  despaire 
Had  her  bereft  of  hope.         *         *         * 
This  phantasie  presenting  everie  howre 
Th'  appearance  of  such  thoughts  did  so  excite 
My  furie  'gainst  the  foe,  that  all  my  powre 

I  muster'd  for  the  field.         *         *         * 

(244) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  245 

Here  could  I  singe  the  deeds  of  warre  to  thee, 

Whereby  my  famous  conquests  thou  should  know, 

How  Heauen  did  grace  me  with  such  Victorie, 

That  in  twelve  battailes  I  did  overthrow 

The  mighty  forces  of  my  warlike  foe, 

And  by  my  valour  how  I  did  expell 

Those  Saxon  foes  which  here  long  time  did  dwell. 

MIRROR  FOR  MAGISTRATES.    King  Arthur. 

— There  a  lone  youth  who  in  his  dreams  did  weep. 

SHELLEY. 


Terror — Fright. 

Fear,  terror,  and  anguish,  in  dreams,  presage  danger. 
They  are  however  according  to  VON  GERSTENBERGK,  an 
omen  of  safety  and  security.  According  to  several  older 
authorities,  terror  only  forebodes  evil  when  experienced  as  a 
groundless  emotion;  while  others  declare  it  to  be  a  good 
sign  for  the  poor,  but  evil  for  the  rich. 

FOR  in  the  still  and  midnight  hour, 
When  darkness  aids  his  hideous  power, 
Affright,  that  breathes  his  vengeance  'deep, 
Haunts  with  wild  dreams  the  troubled  sleep, 

That  freeze  the  blood,  and  raise  the  bristling  hair : 
Grim  spectre  !  he  with  horrid  tread 
Stalked  around  the  curtained  bed, 

And  raised  a  yell  that  pierced  the  tortured  ear. 
21* 


246  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


Aghast  the  heaven-taught  prophet  stood ; 
"  The  dead  V  he  cries,  the  angry  dead  around 
These  dreadful  notes  of  vengeance  sound, 
Dreadful  to  those  who  shed  their  blood. 

ESCHYLUS.  "  The  ChoepJiorce. 

And  now  the  morning  red  gleams  o'er  me, 

I  see  the  sun  gleam  bright  above ; 
Where  thousands  weakly  failed  before  me, 

At  length  my  conqueror's  wreath  I  wove. 

I  see  ye  now,  ye  days  long  vanished, 
No  more  your  nightmare  dreams  annoy  ! 

For  ever  hence  your  clouds  are  banished, 
Nature  and  Beauty  are  my  joy. 

Translated  from  the  Danish  of  HILLERUP,  by  C.  G.  LELAND. 

In  dreams  I  struggled  with  the  waves  putrescent 

Of  blood  that  burns  with  unconsuming  fire, 
In  that  damned  region  where  the  night  incessant 

Is  never  pierced  but  by  a  mad  desire — 
That  caldron  ocean  where  all  things  appalling, 

Impersoned,  voiceful,  wreak  and  shriek  for  death — 
Dead  worlds  tumultuous  through  close  darkness  falling, 

That  could  not  crush,  while  surging,  nor  a  breath 
Move  on  the  stagnant  flame ; — in  that  dread  hell 

I  baffled  all,  for  still  the  ultimate  anguish 
Was  not  unveiled,  nor  sounded  the  last  knell, 

When,  shuddering,  I  saw  the  elements  seething 
As  for  volcanic  bursts,  and,  solid  Night  upraised, 

I  Tantalus  beheld :  his  flame  leaves  wreathing 
About  thy  brows,  adored  !  at  which,  amazed, 

Horror  enclasped  me — and  upright  as  stone, 

I  floated— »-stone  with  sensible  eyes  ! 

AGATHON.    By  Rurus  W.  GBISWOLD* 


Thunder. 

Peals  of  thunder  heard  in  dreams,  are  the  voices  of 
angels. 

ASTRAMPSYCHIUS. 

"    '  V' 

HE  spread  his  cloak  and  slumbered — darkness  fell 
Upon  the  twilight  hills ;  a  sudden  sound 

Of  silver  trumpets  o'er  him  seemed  to  swell ; 
Clouds  heavy  with  the  tempest  gathered  round, 
Yet  was  the  whirlwind  in  its  caverns  bound ; 

Still  deeper  rolled  the  darkness  from  on  high. 
Gigantic  volume  upon  volume  wound, 
Above,  a  pillar  shooting  to  the  sky, 

Below,  a  mighty  sea,  that  spread  incessantly. 

Voices  are  heard — a  choir  of  golden  strings, 

Low  winds,  whose  breath  is  loaded  with  the  rose : 

Then  chariot  wheels — the  nearer  rush  of  wings ; 
Pale  lightning  round  the  dark  pavilion  glows, 
It  thunders — the  resplendent  gates  unclose  ; 

Far  as  the  eye  can  glance,  on  height  o'er  height, 
Rise  fiery  waving  wings,  and  star-crowned  brows, 
Millions  on  millions,  brighter  and  more  bright, 

Till  all  is  lost  in  one  supreme,  unmingled  light. 

But  two  beside  the  sleeping  pilgrim  stand, 
Like  cherub-kings,  with  lifted,  mighty  plume, 

Fixed  sun-bright  eyes,  and  looks  of  high  command  : 
They  tell  the  Patriarch  of  his  glorious  doom  ; 
Father  of  countless  myriads  that  shall  come, 

(247) 


248  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Sweeping  the  land  like  billows  of  the  sea, 

Bright  as  the  stars  of  heaven  from  twilight's  gloom, 
Till  He  is  given  whom  angels  long  to  see, 

And  Israel's  splendid  line  is  crowned  with  Deity. 

Jacob's  Dream.    CROLY. 

Not  as  the  mystic  sprites  of  old 

Spoke  with  a  gentle  voice  from  streams, 

Not  from  the  Loxian  caverns  cold, 
Or  from  Dodona's  talking  trees, 
Or  from  the  murmuring  evening  breeze, 

Did  angel  voices  speak  in  dreams : 

But  with  the  solemn  thunder  tone, 

They  spoke  the  first  great  spirit  tongue, 

As  God  in  glory  called  alone 

On  that  first  wild  and  wondrous  morn, 
While  waking  Light  was  scarcely  born, 

To  Chaos  when  great  Time  was  young. 

C.  GL  LELAND. 


Toad. 


To  see  a  toad,  presages  a  quarrel,  deceit,  and  treachery ; 
but  to  find  one  hidden,  is  an  omen  of  fortune  and  honour. 

So  saying,  on  he  led  his  radiant  files, 

Dazzling  the  moon ;  these  to  the  bower  direct 

In  search  of  whom  they  sought :  him  there  they  found, 

Squat  like  a  toad,  close  at  the  ear  of  Eve, 

Assaying  by  his  devilish  art  to  reach 

The  organs  of  her  fancy,  and  with  them  forge 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  249 

Illusions  as  he  list,  phantasms  and  dreams ; 
Or  if,  inspiring  venom,  he  might  taint 
The  animal  spirits  that  from  pure  blood  arise, 
Like  gentle  breaths  from  rivers  pure,  thence  raise 
At  least  distempered  discontented  thoughts, 
Vain  hopes,  vain  aims,  inordinate  desires, 
Blown  up  with  high  conceits,  engendering  pride. 
Him  thus  intent,  Ithuriel  with  his  spear 
Touched  lightly ;  for  no  falsehood  can  endure 
Touch  of  celestial  temper,  but  returns 
Of  force  to  its  own  likeness :  up  he  starts, 
Discovered  and  surprised.     As  when  a  spark 
Lights  on  a  heap  of  nitrous  powder,  laid 
Fit  for  the  tun,  some  magazine  to  store 
Against  a  rumoured  war,  the  smutty  grain, 
With  sudden  blaze  diffused,  inflames  the  air : 

So  started  up  in  his  own  shape  the  Fiend ! 

MILTON. 


Towers — Palaces . 

To  dream  of  such  buildings,  forebodes  envy.  To  dwell 
in  them,  presages  favour  from  the  great.  To  enter  them,  is 
ominous  of  disturbance.  To  sit  in  them,  denotes  prosperity. 
To  destroy  them,  signifies  unexpected  power. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

THOU  who  didst  waken  from  his  summer  dreams 
The  blue  Mediterranean  where  he  lay, 
Lulled  by  the  coil  of  his  crystalline  streams, 


250  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

Beside  a  pumice  isle  in  Baiae's  Bay, 
And  saw  in  sleep  old  palaces  and  towers 
Quivering  within  the  wave's  intenser  day, 

All  overgrown  with  azure  moss  and  flowers, 

So  sweet  the  sense  faints  picturing  them ! — Thou, 

For  whose  path  the  Atlantic's  level  powers 

Cleave  themselves  into  chasms,  while  far  below 
The  sea  blooms,  and  the  oozy  woods,  which  wear 
The  sapless  foliage  of  the  ocean,  know 

Thy  voice,  and  suddenly  grow  gray  with  fear, 
And  tremble  and  despoil  themselves :  0  hear ! 

Ode  to  the  West  Wind.     SHELLEY. 


Again  I  stood  within  the  realm  of  dreams, 
At  midnight,  on  a  huge  and  shadowy  tower ; 
And  from  the  east  the  full  moon  shed  her  beams, 
And  from  the  sky  a  wild  meteoric  shower 
Startled  the  darkness  ;  and  the  night 
Was  full  of  ominous  voices  and  strange  light. 

T.  B.  READ. 


Tree. 

"  To  dream  of  flourishing,  vigorous  trees"  says  ARTE- 
MIDORUS,  "presages  fortune  and  happiness.  But  to  see  a 
tree  lying  upon  the  ground,  forebodes  disappointment  in 
love." 

THE  DREAM  OF  THE  ODENWALD. 

A  TREE  stood  in  the  Odenwald, 

With  many  a  blooming  bough, 
And  there  I  had  a  true  love  once — 

Where  is  my  true  love  now ! 

A  wild  bird  sat  amid  the  flowers, 

From  eve  to  early  dawn, 
We  sat  beside  the  tree  for  hours ; 

Yet  still  the  bird  sang  on. 

Still  seated  by  the  linden  tree, 

Beside  the  running  stream, 
Oh,  dearest have  I  been  by  thee  ? 

Or  was  it  all  a  dream. 

And  when  again  I  sought  the  tree, 

Upon  the  ground  it  lay ; 
Another  lover  held  thy  hand — 

The  dream  had  passed  away. 

And  here  I  stand,  in  Switzerland, 

Far  from  the  bird  and  thee ; 
Around  me  lies  the  drifting  snow, 

And  all  is  sad  to  see. 

From  the  German,  by  C.  Q-.  LELAND. 
(251) 


Violets. 

To  dream  of  violets  when  such  flowers  are  in  season,  is  a 
favourable  omen  ;  but  evil  at  other  times. 

ARTEMIDOBUS. 

TAKE  of  my  violets  !  I  found  them  where 
The  liquid  south  stole  o'er  them,  on  a  bank 
That  leaned  to  running  water.     There's  to  me 
A  daintiness  about  these  early  flowers 
That  touches  me  like  poetry.     They  blow 
With  such  a  simple  loveliness  among 
The  common  herbs  of  pasture,  and  breathe  out 
Their  lives  so  unobtrusively,  like  hearts 
Whose  breathings  are  too  gentle  for  the  world. 

N«  P.  WILLIS. 

You  ask  me  why  the  violet  blooms 

Among  the  silent  dead ; 
And  why  amid  the  mouldering  tombs 

It  loves  to  rear  its  head  ? 

Sweet  woman  there  is  often  seen 

To  dew  the  ground  with  tears, 
And  where  her  angel  form  has  been, 

Her  favourite  flower  appears. 

Then  when  she  comes  to  deck  the  grave 

Where  her  heart's  treasure  lies, 
She  finds  a  garland  ready  there, 

To  grace  her  obsequies. 

ANONYMOUS. 
(252) 


Voices. 

Whatever  you  dream  that  you  hear  voices  call  out  to  you, 
will  prove  true. 

ASTRAMPSYCHItJS. 

AND  as  the  noble  Moringer 

Slept  by  a  garden  wall, 
He  dreamed  that  from  the  Heaven  above 

He  heard  an  angel  call : 
"  Awake  !  awake !  thou,  Moringer ! 

And  hasten  for  thy  life, 
This  very  day,  so  far  away, 

Von  Neifen  weds  thy  wife." 

OLD  GERMAN  BALLAD.  Vide  UHLAND,  Volksl.,  p.  776. 

Voice  after  voice  hath  died  away, 

Once  in  my  dwelling  heard, 
Sweet  household  name  by  name  hath  changed 

To  grief's  forbidden  word ; 

From  dreams  of  night  on  each  I  call, 

Each  of  the  far-removed ; 
And  waken  to  my  own  wild  cry, 

Where  are  ye,  my  beloved  ? 


HEJIANS. 


In  the  silence  of  the  midnight, 
When  the  cares  of  day  are  o'er 

In  my  soul  I  hear  the  voices 
Of  the  loved  ones  gone  before  ; 

(.253) 


254  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

And  they,  words  of  comfort  whispering, 

Tell  they'll  watch  on  every  hand, 
And  I  love,  I  love  to  list  to 

Voices  from  the  Spirit  Land. 

J.  S.  ADAMS. 

But  ere  my  living  life  returned  ; 
I  heard  and  in  my  soul  discerned 
Two  voices  in  the  air. 

COLERIDGE.     The  Ancient  Mariner. 


Waking. 


To  dream  of  waking  from  slumber,  is  a  sign  of  rapidly 
advancing  in  all  things. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 
£ 

.     A  TOUCH,  a  kiss  !  the  charm  was  snapt. 

There  rose  a  sound  of  striking  clocks, 
And  feet  that  ran,  and  doors  that  clapt, 

And  barking  dogs,  and  crowing  cocks. 
A  fuller  light  illumined  all, 

A  breeze  through  all  the  garden  swept, 
A  sudden  hubbub  shook  the  hall, 

And  sixty  feet  the  fountain  leapt. 

The  hedge  broke  in,  the  banner  blew, 
The  butler  drank,  the  steward  scrawled, 

The  fire  shot  up,  the  martin  flew, 

The  parrot  screamed,  the  peacock  squalled, 

* 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  255 

The  maid  and  page  renewed  their  strife, 

The  palace  banged,  and  buzzed,  and  clackt, 
And  all  the  long-pent  stream  of  life 

Dashed  downward  in  a  cataract. 

t 

J?  '         v 

And  last  of  all  the  king  awoke, 

And  in  his  chair  himself  upreared, 
And  yawned,  and  rubbed  his  face,  arid  spoke : 

"  By  holy  rood  !  a  royal  beard  ! 
How  say  you  ?  we  have  slept,  my  lords. 

My  beard  has  grown  into  my  lap !" 
The  barons  swore  with  many  words, 

'Twas  but  an  after-dinner's  nap. 

"Pardy !"  returned  the  king,  "but  still 

My  joints  are  something  stiff  or  so. 
My  lord,  and  shall  we  pass  the  bill 

I  mentioned  half  an  hour  ago  ?" 
The  chancellor,  sedate  and  vain, 

In  courteous  words  returned  reply ; 
But  dallied  with  his  golden  chain, 

And,  smiling,  put  the  question  by. 

The  Day -Dream.     TENNYSON. 

The  visions  all  are  fled — the  car  is  fled 
Into  the  light  of  heaven,  and  in  their  stead 
A  sense  of  real  things  comes  doubly  strong. 

KEATS. 


Waste  Places. 

To  dream  of  being  in  lonely,  waste  places,  barren  plains 
or  valleys,  betokens  that  you  will  be  alone  in  your  old  age. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

EXHAUSTED  nature  sinks  awhile  to  rest, 

Still  interrupted  by  distracted  dreams, 

That  o'er  the  sick  imagination  rise, 

And  in  black  colours  paint  the  mimic  scene : 

Oft  with  the  enchantress  of  his  soul  he  talks, 

Sometimes  in  clouds  distressed ;  or,  if  retired 

To  secret-winding,  flower-enwoven  bowers, 

Far  from  the  dull  impertinence  of  man, 

Just  as  he,  credulous,  his  endless  cares 

Begins  to  lose  in  blind  oblivious  love, 

Snatched  from  her  yielded  hand,  he  knows  not  how. 

Thro'  forests  huge,  and  long  untravelled  heaths, 

With  desolation  brown,  he  wanders  waste, 

In  night  and  tempest  wrapt,  or  shrinks,  aghast, 

Back  from  the  bending  precipice,  or  wades 

The  turbid  stream  below,  and  strives  to  reach 

The  farther  shore,  where  succourless  and  sad, 

She  with  extended  arms  his  aid  implores ; 

But  strives  in  vain :   borne  by  the  outrageous  flood 

To  distance  down,  he  rides  the  ridgy  wave, 

Or,  whelmed  beneath  the  boiling  eddy,  sinks. 

THOMSON'S  SEASONS. 
(256) 


Water. 


To  dream  of  crossing  water  is  a  sure  sign  of  speedy 
travel ;  if  the  water  be  clear  and  fair,  your  journey  will 
be  very  pleasant. 


NIC.  VON  KLINGELBERG. 


A  sign  of  subduing  difficulties  and  obstacles. 


VON  GERSTENBERGK. 


Si  dormis  doncella, 
Despertad  y  abrid  ; 

Que  venida  es  la  hora 
Si  quereis  partir. 

Si  descaha  estais, 
No  os  querais  calzar 

Que  muchas  las  agoas 
Teneis  de  pasar. 


If  thou  sleepest,  fair  maid, 
Wake,  and  open  to  me  ! 

For  the  hour  is  at  hand, 
When  afar  we  must  flee. 

If  thy  white  feet  are  bare, 
Still  no  longer  delay ; 

For  deep  are  the  waters 
Which  roll  in  our  way. 


Las  agoas  tan  hondas  The  deep-rolling  waters 

De  Guadalquivir, —  Of  Guadalquivir, — 

Que  venida  es  la  hora  Now  the  hour  is  at  hand 

Si  quereis  partir.  We  must  wander,  my  dear  ! 

Translated  from  the  Spanish  of  GIL  VINCENTE,  by  C.  G.  LELAND. 

The  water  !  the  water  ! 

The  joyous  brook  for  me, 
That  tuneth  through  the  quiet  night 

Its  ever-living  glee. 


22* 


(257) 


258  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

The  ^ater !  the  water  ! 

That  sleepless,  merry  heart 
Which  gurgles  on  unstintedly, 

And  loveth  to  impart 
To  all  around  it  some  small  measure 
Of  its  own  most  perfect  pleasure. 

MOTHERWELL. 


Waterfall — Cataract. 

To  dream  of  a  waterfall,  denotes  a  speedy  legacy. 

VON  GERSTENBERGK. 

THUS  up  the  mount,  in  airy  vision  wrapt, 

I  stray,  regardless  whither,  till  the  sound 

Of  a  near  fall  of  water  ;  every  sense 

Wakes  from  the  charm  of  thought ;  swift  shrinking  back, 

I  check  my  steps  and  view  the  broken  scene. 

Smooth  to  the  shelving  brink  a  copious  flood 
Rolls  fair  and  placid  ;  where  collected  all, 
In  one  impetuous  torrent,  down  the  steep 
It  thundering  shoots,  and  shakes  the  country  round. 
At  first,  an  azure  sheet,  it  rushes  broad ; 
Then  whitening  by  degrees,  as  prone  it  falls, 
And  from  the  loud  resounding  rocks  below 
Dashed  in  a  cloud  of  foam,  it  sends  aloft 
A  hoary  mist,  and  forms  a  ceaseless  shower. 
Nor  can  the  tortured  wave  here  find  repose ; 
But,  raging  still  amid  the  shaggy  rocks, 
Now  flashes  o'er  the  scattered  fragments,  now 
Aslant  the  hollow  channel  rapid  darts ; 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  259 

And,  falling  fast  from  gradual  slope  to  slope, 
"With  wild  infracted  course,  and  lessened  roar, 
It  gains  a  safer  bed,  and  steals,  at  last, 

Along  the  mazes  of  the  quiet  dale. 

THOMSON. 

a 

Visions  shall  delight 
Of  waterfalls  by  sun-bows  canopied, 
The  fine  spray  falling  in  the  restless  breeze. 

Rev.  G.  HUNTINGTON. 


Waves. 

Rough  and  stormy  waves  beating  high,  predict  sorrow 
and  trouble.     But  if  not  violent,  they  presage  great  deeds, 

and  are  a  pleasant  omen. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

SHE  dreamed  of  being  alone  on  the  sea  shore, 
Chained  to  a  rock ;  she  knew  not  how,  but  stir 

She  could  not  from  the  spot,  and  the  loud  roar 

Grew,  and  each  wave  rose  roughly,  threatening  her ; 

And  o'er  her  upper  lip  they  seemed  to  pour, 

Until  she  sobbed  for  breath,  and  soon  they  were 

Foaming  o'er  her  lone  head,  so  fierce  and  high 

Each  broke  to  drown  her,  yet  she  could  not  die. 

BYRON. 

The  billows  run  along  in  gold 

Over  the  yielding  main, 
And  when  upon  the  shore  unrolled 

They  gather  up  again, 


260  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

They  get  themselves  a  different  form, 

These  children  of  the  wind, 
And,  or  in  sunlight  or  in  storm, 

Leave  the  green  land  behind. 

ANONYMOUS. 

And  she  vanished  over  the  side  of  the  boat. — Whether 
she  plunged  into  the  stream,  or  whether,  like  water  melting 
into  water,  she  flowed  away  with  it,  they  knew  not,  her 
disappearance  so  much  resembled  both  united,  and  neither 
by  itself.  But  she  was  gone,  gliding  on  with  the  Danube, 
instantly  and  completely  ;  only  little  waves  were  yet  whis- 
pering and  sobbing  around  the  boat,  and  they  seemed 
almost  distinctly  to  say  ;  "  0  woe,  woe  !  Ah,  remain  true  ! 
0  woe  !" 

Undine.     LA  MOTTE  FOUQUE. 

"  Lurley  !  Lurley  !" 

Words  there  are  none ;  but  the  waves  prolong 
The  notes  of  that  mysterious  song  ; 
He  listens,  and  listens,  and  all  around 
Ripple  the  echoes  of  that  sweet  sound — 

"  Lurley  !  Lurley  !" 
No  form  appears  on  the  river  side  ; 
No  boat  is  borne  on  the  wandering  tide  ; 
And  the  tones  ring  on,  with  naught  to  show 
Or  whence  they  come,  or  whither  they  go- 

" Lurley!  Lurley!" 

PRAED. 


Willow. 

To  'dream  of  the  willow,  is  a  sign  of  grief  to  all  save 
mariners. 

ARTEMIDOBUS. 

I  AM  so  farre  from  pittying  thee, 
That  wear'st  a  branch  of  willow  tree ; 
That  I  do  envie  thee,  and  all 
That  once  were  high  and  got  a  fall. 

0  willow,  willow,  willow-tree ! 

1  would  thou  didst  belong  to  me ! 

Thy  wearing  willow  doth  imply 

That  thou  art  happier  far  than  I. 

For  once  thou  wert  where  thou  wouldst  be, 

Though  nowe  thou  wear'st  the  willow-tree. 
0  willow,  willow,  sweete  willow, 
Let  me  once  lie  upon  her  pillow ! 

itr 

I  doe  defy  both  boughe  and  roote, 

And  all  the  fiends  of  hell  to  boote ; 

One  hour  of  paradisM  jbye 

Makes  purgatorie  seeme  a  toye. 
0  willow,  willow,  doe  thy  worst, 
Thou  canst  not  make  me  more  accftrst. 

(261) 


262  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

I  have  spent  all  my  golden  time 
In  writing  many  a  loving  rhyme  : 
I  have  consumed  all  my  youth 
In  vowing  of  my  faith  and  truth. 

0  willow,  willow,  willow-tree ! 

Yet  can  I  not  beleeved  be ! 

And  now,  alas  !  it  is  too  late, 
Gray  hayres,  the  messenger  of  fate, 
Bid  me  set  my  heart  at  rest, 
For  beautie  loveth  young  men  best. 

0  willow,  willow,  I  must  die ! 

Thy  servant's  happier  farre  than  I. 

ENGLISH  BALLAD,  A.D.  1610. 


Winds. 

To  dream  of  winds  blowing  gently  and  softly,  is  a  favour- 
able omen  for  lovers;  but  wild  and  stormy  blasts  signify 
dealings  with  harsh  and  perfidious  men. 

ARTEMIDORUS. 

SING  high,  sing  low,  thou  moody  wind, 

It  skills  not,  for  thy  glee 
Is  ever  of  a  fellow  kind, 

With  mine  own  fantasy. 
Go,  sadly  moan,  or  madly  blow, 

In  fetterless  free  will, 
Wild  spirit  of  the  clouds  !  but  know 

I  ride  thy  comrade  still ; 
Loving  thy  humours.  I  can  be 

Sad,  wayward,  wild  or  mad,  like  thee. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  263 


Go,  and  with  light  and  noiseless  wing 

Fan  yonder  murmuring  stream, — 
Brood  o'er  it,  as  the  sainted  thing, 

The  spirit  of  its  dream  ; 
Give  to  its  voice  a  sweeter  tone 

Of  calm  and  heartfelt  gladness  ; 
Or  to  those  old  trees  woe-begone, 

Add  moan  of  deeper  sadness, — 
It  likes  me  still,  for  I  can  be 

All  sympathy  of  heart,  like  thee. 

Rush  forth  in  maddened  wrath,  to  rouse 

The  billows  of  the  deep  ; 
And  in  the  blustering  storm,  carouse 

With  fiends  that  never  weep. 
Go  tear  each  fluttering  rag  away, 

Outshriek  the  mariner, 
And  hoarsely  knell  the  mermaids'  lay 

Of  death,  and  shipwreck  drear ; — 
What  reck  I,  since  I  still  dare  be 

Harsh,  fierce,  and  pitiless,  like  thee  ? 

Blow  as  thou  wilt,  blow  anywhere, 

Wild  spirit  of  the  sky, 
It  matters  not, — earth,  ocean,  air, 

Still  echoes  to  my  cry, 
"I  follow  thee,"  for,  where  thou  art 

My  spirit  too  must  be, 
While  each  chord  of  this  wayward  heart, 

Thrills  to  thy  minstrelsy ; 
And  he  that  feels  so,  sure  must  be 

Meet  co-mate  for  a  shrew  like  thee  ! 

MOTHERWKLL. 


264  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


Go  thou,  gentle  whispering  wind, 
Bear  this  sigh,  and  if  thou  find 
Where  my  cruel  fair  doth  rest, 
Cast  it  in  her  snowy  breast ; 
So,  enflamed  by  my  desire, 
It  may  set  her  heart  a-fire. 


CAREW.    1619. 


Wine. 

To  dream  that  you  see  wine  flowing  from  vases,  is  a  sign 
that  your  troubles  will  be  alleviated. 

ASTR  AMPS  YCHIUS . 

It  is  a  good  omen  to  dream  of  drinking  wine  temper- 
ately, moderately,  and  in  small  goblets. 

ABTEMIDORUS. 

AH  !  how  the  streamlet  laughs  and  sings 

What  a  delicious  fragrance  springs 

From  the  deep  flagon  while  it  fills, 

As  of  hyacinths  and  daffodils  ! 

Between  this  cask  and  the  Abbot's  lips 

Many  have  been  the  slips  and  sips ; 

Many  have  been  the  draughts  of  wine, 

On  their  way  to  his,  that  have  stopped  at  mine ; 

And  many  a  time  my  soul  has  hankered 

For  a  deep  draught  out  of  his  silver  tankard, 

When  it  should  have  been  busy  with  other  affairs, 

Less  with  its  longings,  and  more  with  its  prayers  ; 

But  now  there  is  no  such  awkward  condition, 

No  danger  of  death,  and  eternal  perdition ; 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  265 


So  here's  to  the  Abbot  and  Brothers  all, 
Who  dwell  in  this  convent  of  Peter  and  Paul ! 

LONGFELLOW. 

Shout  Hellas,  shout !  the  lord  of  joy  is  come, 
Bearing  the  mortal  Lethe  in  his  hands, 

To  make  the  wailing  lips  of  sorrow  dumb, 
To  bind  sad  memory's  eyes  with  rosy  bands. 

lo,  io,  Bacch£ ! 

0,  breezes,  speed  across  the  mellow  lands, 
And  bear  his  coming  to  the  joyous  vine ; 

Make  all  the  vineyards  wave  their  leafy  hands 
Upon  the  hills,  to  greet  this  pomp  divine  !- 

Io,  io,  BacchS ! 

The  Vision  of  the  Goblet.    BOKEB: 

'  ** 

Drink  uji 

Your  cup, 
But  not  spill  wine ; 

For  if  you 

Do, 
'Tis  an  ill  sign. 

That  we 
Foresee 

You  are  cloy'd  here ; 
If  so,  no 
Hoe, 

But  avoid  here. 

HERRICK. 

23 


Woods — Forests . 


To  dream  of  woods,  presages  quiet,  melancholy,  and  soli- 
tude. But  if  they  are  sunny  and  green,  it  portends  profit 
and  pleasure. 

GERMAN  DREAM  BOOK. 

AT  last  I  dreamed  that  I  had  wandered  far 
In  an  old  wood ;  fresh  washed  in  coolest  dew, 

The  maiden  splendours  of  the  morning  star 
Shook  in  the  steadfast  blue. 

Enormous  elm-tree  boles  did  stoop  and  lean 
Upon  the  dusky  brushwood,  underneath 

Their  broad  curved  branches,  fledged  with  clearest  green, 
New  from  its  silken  sheath. 

There  was  no  motion  in  the  dumb  dead  air, 
Not  any  song  of  bird,  or  sound  of  mill ; 

Gross  darkness  of  the  inner  sepulchre 
Is  not  so  deadly  still 

As  that  wide  forest.     Growths  of  jasmine  turned 

Their  humid  arms,  festooning  tree  to  tree, 
And  at  the  root  thro'  lush  green  grasses  burned 

The  red  anemone.      *         *         * 

(266) 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  267 

The  smell  of  violets,  hidden  in  the  green, 
Poured  back  into  my  empty  soul  and  frame, 

The  times  when  I  remember  to  have  been 
Joyful  and  free  from  blame. 

And  from  within  me,  a  clear  under  tone 

Thrilled  through  mine  ears  in  that  unblissful  clime, 

Pass  freely  through !  the  wood  is  all  thine  own, 
Until  the  end  of  time. 

The  Dream  of  Fair  Women.    TENNYSON. 


Writing. 

* 

To  dream  of  writing,  invariably  "heralds  the  receipt  of 
news,  unless  it  be  in  a  book,  which  presages  passionate  love 
or  devotion. 

OUR  hearts  are  paper,  beauty  is  the  pen 
Which  writes  our  loves,  and  blots  'em  out  again. 

Sir  CHARLES  SEDLEY. 

Thus  I  have  laboured  on  and  on, 

Nearly  through  the  gospel  of  John ; 

Can  it  be  that  from  the  lips 

Of  this  same  gentle  Evangelist, 

That  Christ  himself  perhaps  has  kissed, 

Came  the  dread  Apocalypse ! 

It  has  a  very  awful  look, 

As  it  stands  there  at  the  end  of  the  book, 

Like  the  sun  in  an  eclipse. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 


All  me !  when  I  think  of  that  vision  divine, 

Think  of  writing  it,  line  by  line, 

I  stand  in  awe  of  the  terrible  curse, 

Like  the  trump  of  doom,  in  the  closing  verse. 

God  forgive  me  !  if  ever  I 

Take  aught  from  the  book  of  that  Prophecy, 

Lest  my  part  too  should  be  taken  away 

From  the  book  of  Life,  on  the  Judgment-Day. 

This  is  well  written,  though  I  say  it ; 
I  should  not  be  afraid  to  display  it, 
In  open  day,  on  the  self-same  shelf 
With  the  writings  of  St.  Thecla  herself, 
Or  of  Theodosius,  who  of  old 
Wrote  the  gospels  in  letters  of  gold ! 

LONGFELLOW. 


Young. 

To  dream  that  we  are  young  again,  or  living  in  scenes 
and  times  long  passed,  is  ominous,  says  ENGELBRECHT,  of 
disgrace  and  affliction. 

SAD  DREAMS  !  as  when  the  spirit  of  our  youth 
Returns  in  sleep,  sparkling  with  all  the  truth 
And  innocence  once  ours,  and  leads  us  back, 
In  mournful  mockery,  o'er  the  shining  track 
Of  our  young  life,  and  points  out  every  ray 

Of  hope  and  peace  we've  lost  upon  the  way. 

MOORE. 


POETRY  OF  DREAMS.  269 


She  dreamed ! — and  in  her  dream,  behold 
The  scenes  of  childhood  backward  rolled 

To  that  fair  sunny  Spot, 
Where  she  had  roamed,  a  weary  child, 
By  crystal  stream  and  leafy  wild, 

Beside  her  mountain  cot. 

Again  the  flowers  of  spring  had  come, 

Sweet  voices  filled  the  air, 
The  music  of  the  insect's  hum 

She  dreamed  was  everywhere : 
To  her  the  charming  spheres  were  rife, 
All  nature  seemed  replete  with  life ; 

But  how  illusive  were 
The  scenes  to  which  that  dream  had  led 
Her  fancy,  and  how  soon  they  fled 

And  left  her  lifeless  there  ! 

D.  W.  BELISLB. 


Youth. 

To  dream  of  a  renewal  of  youth,  according  to  EN&EL- 
BRECHT,  is  ominous  of  disgrace  and  affliction  (vide  YOUNG). 
But  other  oneirologists  declare  that  this  is  applicable  only 
to  men,  it  being  a  favourable  sign  for  women,  and  denoting 
aid  in  adversity,  or  "  hope  fulfilled  " 

"  WHENCE  dost  thou  come  to  me, 

Sweetest  of  visions, 
Filling  my  slumbers  with  holiest  joy  ?" 


270  POETRY  OF  DREAMS. 

"  Kindly  I  bring  thee 

Feelings  of  childhood, 
That  in  thy  dreams  thou  be  happy  awhile." 

"  Why  dost  thou  steal  from  me 

Ever  as  slumber 
Flies,  and  reality  chills  me  again?" 

"  Life  thou  must  struggle  through ; 

Strive — and  in  slumber, 
Sweetly  again  I  will  steal  to  thy  soul." 

J.  G.  PEECIVAL. 

Have  you  not  wandered  in  your  dream, 
#         #         #         #         *         *         * 

A  fair  and  cherished  boy ; 
Until  you  felt  it  pain  to  part 
From  the  wild  creations  of  your  art, 
Until  your  young  and  innocent  heart 

Seemed  bursting  with  its  joy  ? 

PRAED. 


Farewell,  thou  Land  of  Dreams ! 

FAREWELL,  farewell,  thou  land  of  Dreams, 

Where  Youth  and  I  together  dwelt ; 
Could  I,  where  flow  those  mystic  streams. 

But  feel  once  more  as  I  have  felt  : 
Could  I  those  wandering  streams  beside 

But  dream  life's  tranquil  hours  away, 
Could  I  at  noon  and  eventide 

Here  roam  as  in  life's  early  day. 

Farewell,  farewell,  thou  land  of  Dreams, 

The  DRR&MER  sighs  his  last  adieu  : 
Mountains  and  vales  and  murmuring  streams, 

Scenes  which  my  early  childhood  knew, 
Fond  memory  oft  will  turn  to  trace 

The  haunts  of  my  unclouded  hours ; 
When  this  heart  was  Hope's  dwelling-place, 

And  all  Life's  paths  were  strewed  with  flowers. 

H.  L.  SPENCEB. 

So  the  Dreams  depart, 
So  the  fading  phantoms  flee, 
And  the  sharp  reality 
Now  must  act  its  part. 

WESTWOOD'S  Beads  from  a  Rosary. 
THE  END. 


E.  B.  MEAKS,  STEKEOTYPER. 
C.  SHERMAN  &  SO!?,  PRINTERS. 


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SPLENDIDLY  ILLUSTRATED, 

atifc  pufcltj&Jtbr  jexprmis  for  iD-c  jFall  anJr 

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No.  67  SOUTH  FOURTH  STREET, 
PHILADELPHIA. 


arabfai 


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THE    FEMALE    POETS    OP    AMERICA;    WITH    BIOGRAPHICAL    NOTICES    AND 
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BY  THOMAS  BUCHANAN  BEAD. 

("THE  POET  ARTIST.") 

Elffiantlg  Illustrated,  fottf)  portraits  of 

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BY  MRS.  SARAH  JOSEPHA  HALE, 

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Revised  and  authorized  edition;  newly  and  splendidly  Illustrated  with  sixteen 

Engravings.    1  vol.  small  4to. 
Bound  in  Morocco  Antique,  Turkey  Morocco,  or  muslin,  gilt  sides  and  edges. 


VIII. 


mwalem  unit 


JERUSALEM   AND   ITS   VICINITY;    A   SERIES   OP   FAMILIAR   LECTURES    ON 

THE    SACRED   LOCALITIES    CONNECTED   WITH   THE   WEEK 

BEFORE   THE   RESURRECTION. 

BY  REV.  WM.  H.  ODENHEIMER,  A.M., 

Rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Philadelphia. 
Elegantly  Illustrated  with  seven  Engravings  in  line,  in  the  first  style  of  Art. 

Splendidly  hound  in  Morocco  Antique,  Turkey  Morocco,  or  muslin,  gilt  and  gilt 
edges.    1  vol.  8vo. 


IX. 

<Bb*  $om  In  fc  Clout 

W  O 

THE  BOW  IN  THE  CLOUD;  OR,  COVENANT  MERCY  FOR  THE  AFFLICTED. 

"  Sow  in  the  Cloud!  what  token  dost  thou  tear? 
That  Justice  still  cries  strike,  and  Mercy  spare."    MONTGOMERY. 

BY  KEV.  WM.  BACON  STEVENS,  D.D., 

Rector  of  St  Andrew's  Church,  Philadelphia. 

Elegantly  Illustrated  with  nine  line  Engravings  from  original  designs 
by  Schuessele. 

Splendidly  bound  in  Morocco  Antique,  Turkey  Morocco,  or  muslin,  gilt  and  gilt 
edges.    1  vol.  8vo. 


THE  COMPLETE  POETICAL  WORKS  OF  JOHN  ZEATS. 

With  a  Memoir,  by  Richard  Monkcton  Milnes. 
Splendidly  Illustrated  with  ten  elegant  Engravings  and  a  Portrait  in  the  first 

style  of  the  art. 

Elegantly  bound  in  Morocco  Antique,  Turkey  Morocco,  or  muslin, 
gilt  and  gilt  edges. 


XL 


lirke  nfyto  fSotfcol  ffltob. 

THE  POETICAL  WORKS  AND  REMAINS   OF  HENRY 
KIRKE   WHITE. 

Splendidly  Illustrated  with  ten  elegant  Engravings  and  a  Portrait  in  the  first  ] 

style  of  the  art. 

Elegantly  bound  in  Morocco  Antique,  Turkey  Morocco,  or  muslia, 
gilt  and  gilt  edges. 


ELEGANT    BOOKS, 

SPLENDIDLY  ILLUSTRATED, 

tfc  5 uilij&jjttr  jexprmlg  for  tit  jFall  an 

BY 

E.  H.  BUTLER  &  CO., 

No.  67  SOUTH  FOURTH  STREET, 
PHILADELPHIA. 


Carafe  ttufoltoi. 


THE    PARABLES    OP   THE   NEW  TESTAMENT   PRACTICALLY   UNFOLDED. 

BY  REV.  WM.  BACON  STEVENS,  D.D., 

Rector  of  St.  Andrew's  Church,  Philadelphia. 
Elegantly  Illustrated  with  line  Engravings  in  the  first  style  of  Art,  after  design! 

by  FRANKLIN,  and  others. 

Elegantly  bound  in  Morocco  Antique,  Turkey  Morocco,  or  muslin  gilt 
1  vol.  royal  8vo. 


II. 


Itmale    oefe  of  Interim. 


(SIXTH  EDITION,  THOROUGHLY  REVISED.) 

THE    FEMALE    POETS     OF    AMERICA;    WITH    BIOGRAPHICAL    NOTICES    AND 
SPECIMENS    OF   THEIK   TfftJTTNGS. 

BY  THOMAS  BUCHANAN  BEAD. 

("THE  POET  ARTIST.") 

EUgantlg  Ellustratrtr,  fontf)  portraits  of 

Mrs.  Odkes  Smith,  Mrs.  Sigourney,  Mrs.  Osgood,  Mrs.  Ettet,  Mrs.  Hale,  Miss  Lynch, 
Edith  May,  and  Grace  Greenwood,  and  three  splendid 

Illuminations  by  Devereux. 

Elegantly  bound  in  Morocco  Antique,  Turkey  Morocco,  or  muslin,  gilt  and  gilt 
edges.    1  vol.  royal  8vo. 


III. 


Bart'0  Jtmak  $mt  %&nlm  of  Smmca. 


(NEW  EDITION,  THOROUGHLY  REVISED.) 

THE   FEMALE  PROSE  WRITERS  OP  AMERICA;   WITH  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES 
AND    SPECIMENS    OF   THEIR   WRITINGS. 

BY  JOHN  S.  HART,  LL.D. 

Elegantla  Ellustratrtr,  fmtf)  portraits  of 

Mrs.  KirTdand,  Miss  Sedgwick,  Margaret  Fuller,  Mrs.  Stephens,  Mrs.  Hentz,  Mrs. 

Judson,  and  Mrs  Neal,  engraved  in  the  first  style  of  Art;  and  two 

splendid  Illuminations  by  Devereux,  aUfrom 

original  drawings. 

Elegantly  bound  in  Morocco  Antique,  Turkey  Morocco,  or  muslin,  gilt  and  gilt 
edges.    1  Tol.  royal  8vo. 


A  GEM  BOOK  OF  BRITISH  POETRY,  WITH  BRIEF  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

BY  SAMUEL  G.  GOODRICH. 

Elegantlg  Illustrated,  fcritfj  ^Portraits  of 
dray,  Keats,  Scott,  Wordsworth,  Hemans,  Rogers,  Macaulay,  Campbell,  and  Moore, 

in  the  first  style  of  Art. 

Splendidly  bound  in  Morocco  Antique,  Turkey  Morocco,  or  muslin,  gilt  and  gilt 
edges.    1  vol.  small  4to. 


V. 


mi 


THE  WHITE  VEIL!  A  BRIDAL  GIFT. 

BY  MRS.  SARAH  JOSEPHA  HALE, 

Author  of  '•  Woman's  Record,"  &c. 
"  And  the  Lord  God  said,  it  is  not  good  for  man  to  lie  alone. 
I  will  make  him  an  help  meet  for  him."    GEN.  ii.  18. 

Elegantly  Illustrated  with  eleven  Engravings  and  Illuminations,  and  splendidly 

bound  in  Morocco  Antique,  Turkey  Morocco,  or  muslin, 

gilt  and  gilt  edges.    1  vol.  small  4to. 


Elegant  Family  Bibles— Continued. 

0.  Illustrated  with  10  Engravings,  and  2  Illuminations.  Imitation 

Turkey, $6.00 

P.  Illustrated  with  2  Illuminations,  and  2  Engravings.  Fine  sheep, 

marble  edges,  gilt  back,  stamped  and  gilt  sides, 4.60 

ANTIQUE.  Illustrated  with  10  Coloured  Engravings,  and  8  new  and 
splendid  Illuminations.  Turkey,  super  extra,  bevelled  boards,  and 
panelled  sides, 15.00 


XXVII. 

ALSO,  LATELY  PUBLISHED, 

on  fyt  (IMfora  o 


A  SERIES  OF  LECTURES  ON  THE  EVIDENCES  OF  CHRISTIANITY. 

Delivered  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia  by  Distinguished  Clergymen  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church. 

EDITED 

BY  RT.  REV.  ALONZO  POTTER,  D.D., 

Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  Pennsylvania. 
1  vol.  Royal  8vo. 

:  >y      ^ 

XXVIII. 

Book'0  CJrawjj  Jiffiotmnj, 

A  CHURCH  DICTIONARY, 

BY  WALTER   FARQUHAR   HOOK,   D.D., 

Vicar  of  Leeds. 

Edited  and  adapted  to  the  American  Church  by  a  Presbyter  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church. 

1  vol.  8vo. 


••: 


XXIX. 


Httjjari)jgi»  (Ingltsjj  Dtrfionarq. 

A  NEW  DICTIONARY  OF  THE  ENGLISH  LANGUAGE. 

BY  CHARLES  RICHARDSON. 

2  vols.  4to.,  2295  pages. 

KICHARDSON'S  ENGLISH  DICTIONARY  is  acknowledged  to  be  the  great 
Thesaurus  of  English  Philology  and  Lexicography.  Its  character  as  a  work  of 
standard  authority  is  so  well  established,  that  few  scholars  or  professional  men. 
will  deem  their  libraries  complete  without  it. 


XXX. 


/lemtng  &  tfibbto  fnnfy 


AN  ENTIRELY  NEW  AND  COMPLETE  FRENCH  AND  ENGLISH  AND  ENGLISH 

AND  FRENCH  DICTIONARY, 
Adapted  to  the  Present  State  of  the  Two  Languages. 

BY   PROF.   FLEMING, 

Professor  of  English  in  the  College  of  Louis-le-Grand,  and 

PROF.   TIBBINS, 

Author  of  several  Lexicographical  Works. 

WITH  IMPORTANT  ADDITIONS, 

BY    CH.ARLES    PICOT,   ESQ., 
Professor  of  French  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and 

JUDAH   DOB  SON,    ESQ., 
Member  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  of  the  Academy  of  Natural 

Sciences,  &c.,  &c. 
1  vol.  Royal  8vo.,  1400  pages. 


XXXI. 


(ABRIDGED.) 
1  vol.  12mo.,  724  pages. 


00?  6 


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